There is no specific legislation on call centres in Victoria. However, the employer has a duty under the Victorian Occupational Health and Safety Act (2004) to provide and maintain for employees, as far as practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risks to health. The employer must provide safe plant, a safe system of work, information, training, supervision, and where appropriate, personal protective equipment. The employer also has the duty to monitor conditions at the workplace and to monitor the health and safety of employees.
There is also a requirement for employers to consult and cooperate with safety and health representatives and other employees.
Of interest to reps may be a Queensland Government Code of Practice on Call Centres (2001) which applies to all government agencies including government owned corporations. Non-government agencies are encouraged to become signatories to the Code, and companies contracted to the Queensland government are required to adhere to it. Other companies are encouraged to do so, and the government hopes the code will set the benchmark for all call centres in the State. (see More information on Call Centres)