A colleague tells a regulated member that a supervisor made unwelcome sexual advances at an...

Harassment, including sexual harassment, is a severe violation of professional ethics and occupational health and safety laws, regardless of whether it occurs strictly on company premises or at an after-work party connected to employment. The ASET Code of Ethics requires members to promote health and safety within the workplace, which includes psychological safety and freedom from harassment. When a colleague confides such an incident, doing nothing (A) or dismissing it as irrelevant (D) is unprofessional and lacks empathy. However, because the member is relying on hearsay and did not witness the event, they should generally not make a formal complaint on the victim's behalf without their consent (B), as this strips the victim of their agency and can complicate investigations. The most ethical, professional, and supportive first step is to empower the victim by strongly encouraging the colleague to report the incident directly to Human Resources or the appropriate internal authority so that a formal, legally sound investigation can be initiated.