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Workplace Bullying Policy

Workplace Bullying includes:

Verbal Behaviour:

  1. Yelling, screaming
  2. Insults, unexplained rages
  3. Inappropriate comments about a persons personal life or lifestyle;
  4. Constant humiliation
  5. Belittling opinions
  6. Unjustified criticism and sarcasm
  7. Teasing and / or
  8. Bearing the brunt of practical jokes

Non-verbal Behaviour:

  1. Isolating individuals from social interactions / areas which are freely accessed by other staff
  2. Offensive or degrading material on walls, computer screens, e-mail etc
  3. Being followed home from work; and or
  4. Ignoring someone or constantly being unapproachable and distant

Physical Behaviour:

  1. Offensive hand or body gestures
  2. Unnecessary and unwelcomed contact
  3. Pushing, shoving, fighting; and / or
  4. Damage to personal property

Professional Behaviour:

  1. Threats of pay-back for complaining about workload issues;
  2. Creating barriers to promotion by selection based criteria other than merit;
  3. Withholding information/ resources
  4. Supplying incorrect information / resources
  5. Tampering with equipment;
  6. Constantly changing targets and deadlines;
  7. Overloading employees with impossible deadlines;
  8. Not providing appropriate training and resources; and or
  9. Repeated failure to give credit where credit is due.

Policy example

It is the aim of ABC Pty Ltd to provide a workplace free from workplace bullying and to be proactive in eradicating this unacceptable form of behaviour. The company will not tolerate Workplace Bullying under any circumstances.

There are a number of definitions for workplace bullying including the following:

Workplace bullying is the "repeated less favorable treatment of a person by another or others in the workplace, which may be considered unreasonable and inappropriate workplace practice."

It includes behaviour that intimidates, degrades, humiliates or offends a person and is generally persistent, systematic and ongoing. This behaviour can be demonstrated by either overt behaviour (openly in front of co-workers, clients or customers) or covert behaviour (subtle behaviour which is not easily detected).

Bullying is also defined as a form of psychological harassment, whereby a person engaged in bullying uses inappropriate strength or power to coerce others through degrading behaviour.

Workplace bullying compromises the health and safety of all workers, therefore we have an obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety act 1995 (Qld) to ensure this behaviour does not occur.

This policy includes all employees, employers, visitors, contractors, clients and customers that enter the premises or conduct work outside external to the designated workplace.

ABC Pty Ltd recognises that workplace bullying involves behaviour which is intended to psychologically harass and intimidate the recipient, resulting in adverse affects on work satisfaction, performance and retention of talented staff. Therefore, we have a vested interest to ensure complaints are dealt with promptly and confidentially.

All allegations of workplace bullying will be treated seriously and investigated promptly, confidentially and impartially.

Disciplinary action will be taken against any employee who bullies a co-worker, as per the Discipline Policy. Discipline may involve a warning, transfer, counselling, demotion or dismissal, depending on the seriousness of the breach.

The Dispute Policy is the primary mechanism by which a formal complaint can be lodged by a person directly involved with an allegation of bullying.

ABC Pty Ltd will ensure that following preventative steps are taken:

  1. Employees are regularly trained in this policy
  2. Employees are provided with up-dates when the policy has been amended to increase awareness
  3. Provide information on workplace bullying in the induction process
  4. Ensure that employees demonstrate desired behaviour and examples of acceptable behaviour.
  5. provide a suitably trained Contact Officer / Manager / Supervisor and make employees aware of the designated person
  6. Ensure employees know the consequences of breaches of this policy
  7. Encourage all employees to report workplace bullying
  8. Ensure no witnesses or person(s) making the complaint are victimised
Dealing with Complaints

ABC Pty Ltd will observe the principles or natural justice, fairness and equity when dealing with all complaints.

Informal complaints

ABC Pty Ltd will:

  • Actively listen to employees concerns/ issues relating to workplace bullying and,
  • Provide assistance to staff when resolving a workplace bullying issue

Formal Approach

Employees should access this procedure where informal processes are unsuccessful or if the bullying is of a serious nature

  • Promptly deal with the complaint and attempt to resolve in a non-threatening and confidential manner
  • Investigate the allegations and protect the identity of persons involved
  • Consult the industrial legislation / seek professional advice (if required)
  • Take corrective action to deal with the unacceptable behaviour

Possible outcomes can include

  • An apology
  • Agreement that the behaviour will stop
  • Formal counselling (Counselling and Discipline Policy)
  • Discipline action (formal written warning, suspension, demotion, dismissal) (Counselling and Discipline Policy)
  • Education & Awareness session / retraining
  • Report alleged criminal behaviour to the Police

Documentation

  • Maintain a confidential and secure file for records separate from personnel files
  • Document the following information:
    • Dates and names of the reporting person and individuals involved
    • Nature of the incident
    • Investigation notes and outcomes
    • Action taken
Employee Obligations:

  • Comply with the Company's Workplace Bullying Policy
  • Try to resolve the issue at the local level through the complaints hierarchy with minimum formal processes if possible