The Australian Financial Review on 24 March 2010 includes an article (only available through subscription or hard copy purchase) that states that the “tangle of state laws hampers compliance” by business on the issue of workplace bullying. Harvard Business Review reports on how to cut through the distractions and attend to a root cause of workplace bullying. Continue reading “Workplace bullying needs harmony and good managers”
Category: bullying
Non-mainstream media acknowledges the realities of workplace fatalities
Bernard Keane writing in online newsletter, Crikey, is one of the few who has reported on the Australian Government’s insulation scheme debacle and kept the fact of worker deaths as more than just a moral sideline to the issue.
On 3 March 2010, Keane wrote a very good article which draws on the political and media attitudes to worker deaths over the last decade in Australia. He highlights the political expediency of selective reporting and commentary on safety issues. Many of the comments and assertions made at the Cole Royal Commission are still reiterated today and form the basis of some political party policies.
Given the recent media coverage on workplace bullying, Keane’s reminder on the deaths and suicides in the Australian Defence Forces and the political reticence to do anything on the matter, is timely.
It is only six weeks before the International Workers’ Memorial day, (28 April 2010). The 2010 commemoration is likely to be one of the most political events since it began almost two decades ago.
Some of the statistics that fueled the outrage against then-Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, are seriously questioned in this blog article at Pollytics.com.
Workplace bullying data from Denmark
In occupational health and safety (OHS) and other workplace research, Scandinavia is often quoted. The application of research findings to other nations is of dubious value but often Scandinavian research provides clues to potential OHS hazards or control options.
In February 2010, the European Working Conditions Observatory published online a research report into workplace bullying. The report says
“Investigating the impact of bullying on psychological stress reactions according to the Impact of Event Scale, the NFA study finds that negative acts which potentially isolate the individual at the workplace, acts directed towards the person and unreasonable workloads induce most psychological stress.” Continue reading “Workplace bullying data from Denmark”
Workplace Bullying petition is now online
In February 2010, an Australian Facebook Group has put together a petition to call for a thorough review into issues associated with workplace bullying. The initiative stemmed from the successful prosecution of four men who contributed to the suicide of Brodie Panlock through their bullying behaviours. The petition, subtitled “Petition For Criminal and Workplace Reform In Australia For Psychological Abuse”, has now been prepared and is seeking support.
The crux of the petition is:
“Your petitioners ask that the Parliament:
- Conduct a review by the Australian Law Reform Commission or the Productivity Commission or similar agency, of the effectiveness of all current (including criminal, anti-discrimination and OHS laws) and proposed legislation. Continue reading “Workplace Bullying petition is now online”
Good bullying advice needs grounding in prevention
Recently SafetyAtWorkBlog discussed the quality of media releases on OHS matters. A very good one was received the other day from Firefly Marketing. The noticeable quality of this release is that although its purpose is to promote a conference, the release provides fresh and unique comments that have stand-alone benefits.
The statement includes several comments concerning workplace bullying.
Regulator
WorkSafe Victoria‘s media manager, Michael Birt says
“The death of Brodie Panlock has received the most media attention of any WorkSafe Victoria prosecution – ever. The case was covered extensively by Australia’s national media but was even reported in countries from the Netherlands to Russia. The details will stay on Google forever. The actions of Brodie’s tormentors will follow them.” Continue reading “Good bullying advice needs grounding in prevention”
Workplace bullying questions to WorkSafe
Following the successful prosecution of four people for bullying 19-year-old Brodie Panlock, SafetyAtWorkBlog, with the assistance of a lawyer put several questions to WorkSafe Victoria about the case. Most of the questions and their responses are below:
“SAWB: Could you please advise the reasons for the decision to prosecute the recent workplace bullying case in the Magistrates Court as opposed to the County Court? My understanding is that this choice limited the potential fine for the individuals involved to 500 penalty points instead of 1800 , and for the company to 2500 instead of 9000.
WV: In this case, we thought the Magistrates’ Court had the appropriate sentencing discretion to impose a proportionate and fair sentence.
In addition, Magistrates’ Court proceedings takes less time and produce more certain results than County Court proceedings – these charges were issued in July 2009 and resolved in February 2010. Continue reading “Workplace bullying questions to WorkSafe”
New OHS resources on workplace bullying
The Australian Capital Territory has released a package of new OHS material on workplace bullying. The package includes
“advice on responsibilities under the Work Safety Act 2008 with regard to bullying- a Checklist for Employers
- Guidance on how to take a risk management approach to workplace bullying, as is required by the Work Safety Act 2008
- Guidance on how to implement a complete Complaint Resolution process in respect of workplace bullying
- two new training programs available from the Office of the Work Safety Commissioner – Workplace Bullying Awareness for workers and Prevention and Management of Workplace Bullying for more senior staff Continue reading “New OHS resources on workplace bullying”