Mad Men and the Ongoing Reality of Workplace Sexual Harassment
I’m late to the party. I only recently started watching Mad Men. If you haven’t seen it, the series is set in a 1960s New York advertising agency and follows the lives of its employees, particularly the enigmatic Don Draper. What struck me most was the blatant sexism and harassment women endured.
I know the show is intentionally portraying the reality of that era, highlighting how normalised and systemic sexism and harassment were in workplaces. But even knowing that, I almost had to turn it off. It was so overt, so accepted, it genuinely bothered me.
In the very first episode, we meet Peggy Olson, a young woman starting her job as Don Draper’s secretary. She’s immediately advised by another woman to “show a little leg” and “go to the doctor for some birth control pills.” These lines aren’t just dialogue, they’re a window into a workplace culture where harassment wasn’t just tolerated, it was expected.
Throughout the episode, we see male colleagues casually using terms like “honey,” “sweetheart,” and “darling” to address women, regardless of their professional role. At one point, a male employee lifts a woman onto a table at an office party to show off her legs, an act that’s treated as entertainment, not harassment.
Then there’s the scene where Peggy has lunch with Pete Campbell, one of the junior executives. Afterward, she visits his office, and he kisses her without consent. When she pulls away, he asks, “Is it because you’re taken?”, as if the only reason she might not want to be kissed is because she belongs to another man. There’s no consideration of her autonomy, her comfort, or her right to say no.
These aren’t just dramatic plot points, they’re a reflection of a workplace culture where power, gender, and sexuality were deeply entangled. And while Mad Men is set in the 1960s, the uncomfortable truth is that many of these dynamics still exist today, sometimes just in more subtle or insidious forms.
According to Safe Work Australia, one in three people (33%) have experienced sexual harassment at work in the last five years.
The Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2025 Speaking from Experience report highlights that young workers, migrants, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and those in insecure work are particularly vulnerable.
Key messages from the Australian Human Rights’ Commission’s fifth national survey reinforce the urgency:
Sexual harassment remains unacceptably common
Most often perpetrated by men
Half of incidents repeated, and many ongoing for over a year
Only 18% of incidents are reported
Just one in three workers believe their organisation is doing enough.
At Risk Collective, while we assist our clients in responding to incidents of sexual harassment, our preference for our clients is prevention. We work closely with organisations to identify potential risks, understand how harassment might arise, and implement practical, proactive controls to reduce harm before it happens.
While not the only tool we use, one of our most effective is training, sessions grounded in real-world scenarios, legal definitions, and case law that spark meaningful conversations. We explore not just what sexual harassment looks like, but how certain behaviours can impact the person targeted, as well as witnesses and the broader workplace culture. These sessions also cover organisational reporting pathways and how to support individuals while maintaining a safe and respectful environment.
We guide attendees through internal reporting processes and available support systems, making it clear how to respond when issues arise. Participants often uncover blind spots, recognising behaviours they hadn’t previously considered problematic. We also run specialised sessions for managers and leaders, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately when concerns are raised.
At the end of each session, we ask attendees to reflect and share one thing they learned or had reinforced. No one ever says “nothing.” These conversations create space for genuine awareness, accountability, and the potential for change.
Sexual harassment isn’t just a relic of the Mad Men era. It’s still happening. but we have tools, awareness, and legal frameworks to address it.
The goal isn’t just to respond, it’s to create workplaces where everyone feels safe, respected, valued, and where organisations meet their statutory obligations under Australian workplace laws.
Let’s get your team set up for Respect @ Work
Whether you’re looking to train your team, upskill your managers, review your policies and procedures, or strengthen your support structures, Risk Collective can help. We work with organisations to take proactive, practical steps in identifying, preventing, and responding to workplace sexual harassment.
Article prepared by Amy Towers, Director - WHS, People & Compliance