19 February 2003
The launch of the WorkSafe Guidance Note on Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work has been welcomed by Victorian unions as an important first step in addressing the problem.
The Victorian Trades Hall Council today (19 February) welcomed the launch of a Guidance Note on Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work by WorkSafe Victoria as a positive first step in addressing this serious workplace hazard.VTHC secretary Leigh Hubbard said bullying was not an issue confined to school playgrounds but happened all too often in workplaces, making the daily lives of many workers intolerable.
"A recent Morgan Poll found that 46% of Australians had been verbally or physically abused by someone they worked with."
Mr Hubbard said it was important for employers to support government efforts to prevent bullying at work because the problem could lead to a reduction in productivity and low staff morale.
"While our main concern in the union movement is workers health employers need to realise that guidelines and ultimately a code of practice to prevent bullying is in their own interests."
Employers should act to prevent workplace bullying by taking a hard line on the issue within their own organizations.
"The most effective way to stop bullying and to prevent it becoming a problem is to create a climate or culture in the workplace that makes it clear to any potential bully that their behaviour will not be tolerated.
I welcome the Guidance Note as a first step in the campaign to eliminate the pervasive problem of bullying at work. It is an acknowledgement that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect at work," Mr Hubbard said.
Mr Hubbard said it was wrong to equate bullying with physical violence and to ignore the psychological factors involved.
"Bullying is not just about physical assault. It can also include behaviours such as setting unrealistic work targets and excessive monitoring of an employee."
Mr Hubbard said the scope of the problem was further highlighted by a recent VTHC health and safety unit website survey.
"The survey attracted over 5000 respondents. The overwhelming majority of whom wanted the government to formally act on this serious health and safety issue and introduce a Code of Practice."