How to be an active bystander inside and outside the workplace

When was the last time you heard someone at work make a joke that made you uncomfortable?

Maybe somebody made a comment about a colleague that was inappropriate.

Did you feel empowered to speak up? Or were you unsure how to respond?

According to ANROWS data , 69% of people said that they would be bothered if they heard a friend telling a sexist joke. Most people also said that they would show their disapproval either publicly or privately (73–94%).

So how should you respond when you witness harassment or disrespect?

Standing up against this behaviour can be intimidating, but there are many ways that you can be an active bystander.

What is an active bystander?

An active bystander is someone who takes action after witnessing or hearing about an incident of sexual harassment or discrimination.

The first thing to know about bystander actions is that there are many ways you can make a stand. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' – for many of us, being an active bystander will look different in different situations.

Being an active bystander can involve taking action in the moment, through your words or body language.

But being an active bystander isn’t only about responding to an incident involving an individual. It can also include supporting others and changing the culture or environment that allowed the discrimination to occur.

It isn’t about intervening physically or being hostile.

How you can be an active bystander at work

Speak 

You can challenge the person being disrespectful by speaking up. You can do this in a few ways:

• Question sexist jokes: 'I don’t get what’s funny?'

• Focus on the behaviour: 'That comment was out of line.'

• Purposely change the topic: 'Seriously? Let’s move on.'

• Ask them to stop: 'Alright, that’s enough.'

Show 

If you aren’t comfortable speaking up, you can still stand up against harassment through your body language. Here are some simple ways to show their behaviour is not on:

• Roll your eyes

• Shake your head

• ​Don’t laugh along

• Walk away

• Stand between the person being disrespectful and the person being harassed.

Support 

You don’t have to engage with the perpetrator to be an active bystander. You can also let the person experiencing harassment or discrimination know that you are there for them.

• Ask if they’re OK, either in person or in a message.

• Acknowledge what happened: 'Hey, I’m sorry. That wasn’t cool.'

• If someone else speaks up, back them up.

Report 

It’s important that your workplace’s leadership team know about sexual harassment and discrimination occurring at work. Reporting allows the business to address this behaviour and promote change across the whole of the workplace.

If the person who has been targeted is comfortable with it, here are a few actions you can take:

• Talk to your manager or People & Culture about what you saw.

• Share your ideas for how you can improve workplace culture and safety.

• If you don’t feel comfortable talking to management, speak to a trusted colleague.

What prevents employees from being an active bystander?

There are people who, when confronted with disrespect or harassment of a colleague, will not step in. They will observe the situation as a passive bystander.

Many times, it’s not because the person thinks the harassment is okay – it’s often because they don’t know how to intervene safely.

That is why it is vital for businesses to  invest in training that will give all staff the skills to take action and be an active bystander.

How leaders can encourage active bystanders in the workplace  

Business leaders have a legal obligation to create safe and respectful workplace environments under positive duty laws .

The first step is to make sure that all leaders in the business understand their responsibilities under positive duty, and the importance of putting time and resources into active bystander training.

The next step is to educate all staff about what an active bystander can be and empower them to use these skills inside and outside the workplace.

Leaders also need to create an environment where being an active bystander is actively encouraged and rewarded.

Many workplaces already take this kind of approach when it comes to occupational health and safety issues, such as praising employees who identify physical risks and hazards. This can also be applied to employees who are active bystanders or who call out bad behaviour. Leaders do not have to call out employees by name or address specific incidents, but by showcasing the kind of behaviour the business wants to encourage, it will allow all employees to feel more comfortable being an active bystander in the future.

The benefits of active bystander training for workplaces

Upskilling your staff with active bystander training can have many benefits for businesses.

Businesses have a legal obligation to stop sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination before they start under positive duty laws. By engaging in active bystander training, it can help your business meet its obligations.

Active bystander training will also help create safer workplaces. Safer workplaces are environments where employees want to work, enhancing your business’ reputation and attracting great talent.

The benefits of active bystander training beyond the workplace

When employees are upskilled to become active bystanders at work, that will have an impact long after they clock off for the day.

Active bystander training will give employees the opportunity to apply these skills in their community – whether that means challenging an outdated stereotype they hear from a friend or speaking up after a sexist joke on the footy field.

When people feel empowered to be an active bystander, they often want to share what they have learned with family and friends, creating a ripple effect that goes way beyond the office, shop floor or worksite.

By committing to active bystander training at work, you’re actually driving meaningful change that can make an impact across communities .

How the Our Watch Institute can support your business through active bystander training 

At the Our Watch Institute, we help people build their active bystander 'toolbox'.

We focus on encouraging everyone to try out different strategies for being an active bystander, because we know that the best approach can differ from person to person, and from situation to situation.

Our training sessions focus on:

• Understanding that everyone has a role to play in preventing violence against women including sexual harassment in the workplace. ​

• Recognising harmful behaviour in the workplace that may require bystander action.​

• Understanding the importance and impact of active bystander intervention, including its role in promoting safety and addressing gender inequality​.

• Identifying how to apply safe and effective bystander action with confidence and respond appropriately to disclosures.

We offer two types of active bystander training:

Being an active bystander: All staff workshop

• 1 to 1.5 hours

• In-person or virtual

• Up to 20 participants

Being an active bystander: All staff webinar

• 1 hour

• Virtual

• Up to 500 participants

Ready to book in your active bystander training for 2026?

Reach out today by using the form at the bottom of the page or emailing us to discuss your needs.