In Australia, all employers have a responsibility to prevent discrimination, harassment or bullying from occurring in the workplace and to make sure that their employees, and people who apply jobs with them, are treated fairly. Under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation, employers and employees are required to comply with practices and behaviour that promote health and safety in the workplace. Because of this responsibility, employers are required to minimise or if possible eliminate the risks to employees’ health and safety caused by workplace bullying. Safe Work Australia has recently updated two publications on workplace bullying to provide guidance and assistance for managers and workers on how to prevent, respond and deal with this issue.
Australian Bullying Guidelines – The Fair Work Amendment Act 2013 defines workplace bullying as repeated unreasonable behaviour by an individual towards a worker which creates a risk to health and safety.
In Australia, all Employers have a responsibility to prevent discrimination, harassment or bullying from occurring in the workplace and to make sure that their employees, and people who apply for a job with them, are treated fairly.
Federal discrimination laws protect people from being discriminated against based on their:
- race, including colour, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status
- sex, pregnancy or marital status
- age
- disability, or
- sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status.
Under work health and safety legislation, employers and employees are required to comply with practices and behaviour that promote health and safety in the workplace. Because of this responsibility, employers are required to minimise or if possible eliminate the risks to employees’ health and safety caused by workplace bullying.
Safe Work Australia has recently updated two publications on workplace bullying to provide guidance and assistance for managers and workers on how to prevent, respond and deal with this issue.
For furthe rinformaiton, please refer to:
Source: Safe Work Australia
Title: Guide for preventing & responding to workplace bullying
Read Time: 15-30 minutes
Soruce: Australian Human Rights Commission
Title: Workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying
Read Time: 5 minutes