20/3/03
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke warned today that bullying in workplaces would not be tolerated.
Mr Kobelke was launching a set of guidance material published by the WorkSafe Western Australia Commission.
"I think we would all concede that bullying has existed in some form in workplaces since the earliest times," he said.
"But some recent high-profile cases across Australia have made people more aware that bullying is a real problem and they are not obliged to put up with it.
"Bullying is now understood to be very much an occupational safety and health issue.
"The new guidance material aims to let everyone in the workplace know exactly what obligations and rights they have in relation to bullying in the workplace."
'Dealing With Workplace Bullying' consists of three booklets - a guide for employers, a guide for employees and a further general pamphlet.
The material provides help for employers and employees in identifying and dealing with bullying in the workplace.
The guide for employees covers subject areas such as:
- What is workplace bullying?
- What isn't bullying?
- What are the possible effects?
- What can you do about it?
- Resolving issues.
Guidance for employers includes issues such as:
- Is there bullying at your workplace?
- Why workplace bullying is a problem.
- What should employers do?
- General requirements of occupational safety and health laws.
Mr Kobelke said bullying could be harmful to organisations as well as individuals.
"Workplace bullying can result in reduced efficiency, productivity and profitability, increases in absenteeism and staff turnover, counselling, compensation claims and can even result in legal action," he said.
The Minister warned there was now no excuse for indulging in, condoning or ignoring bullying behaviour.
"Workplaces should ensure everyone is familiar with this guidance material, a strategy is in place to manage workplace bullying and employees are aware of their right to a safe and healthy workplace," he said.
"Bullying will not be tolerated, and WorkSafe can and will take action where any business or individual is found to be breaching the occupational safety and health laws with regard to bullying."
Copies of 'Dealing With Workplace Bullying' can be obtained by telephoning 9327 8777, or on the website at
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au Minister's office: 9222 9211
