May 24, 2026, 12:47 AM EDT. A court ordered a customer and a contractor to pay $90,000 in compensation plus $13,000 each in penalties for sexually harassing a worker at a self-storage facility, marking a landmark enforcement of the Fair Work Act's 2023 provision. Judge Salvatore Vasta ruled the law covers all harassers, including customers, emphasizing that harassment connected to work applies regardless of perpetrator identity. Sydney lawyer Justin Penafiel called the case a "new frontier," highlighting significant financial consequences for harassers in public-facing businesses. The ruling signals increased legal accountability for customer conduct in retail, hospitality, and health sectors, potentially encouraging stronger enforcement of respectful workplace environments.
