Dignity and Respect in The Workplace

Dignity and Respect in the
Workplace
Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying
Occupational Health and Safety

Directorate
NSW Department of Education & Training

Safety is everyone’s responsibility
Background
• Signatory to Charter
• Requires Department to
have a positive
behavioural culture
• Department’s
commitment to dignity
and respect.

Safe Working and Learning
What is bullying?
Definitions vary, but bullying is behaviour that is:
• repeated
• unreasonable
• unwelcome and unsolicited
• directed towards an employee
• a reasonable person would consider to be
offensive/humiliating/intimidating/threatening
• creates a risk to health and safety.
(DET Prevention of Bullying in the Workplace Policy)

Examples
• Abuse - verbal , physical, emotional
• Excessive criticism
• Unfair use of workplace systems
• Constant ridicule and put downs
• Loud, threatening or derogatory language
• Deliberate exclusion from workplace activities
• Victimisation
• Spreading rumours or offensive messages
through SMS or email

Bullying is NOT:
• Differences of opinion
• Reporting professional difficulties
with staff
• Managerial action such as
monitoring workflow, giving
feedback and managing
performance
- where done in a reasonable way
in accordance with departmental
policies and procedures

Impact of bullying
Workplace bullying has serious
consequences for:
• The individual
• Other workers and the workplace
• The Department as a whole.

Prevention of bullying
• It is easier to prevent bullying

than it is to intervene after an
event.

Bullying Risk Management
Model
1. Workplace Consultation
2. A Risk Management Approach
3. Workplace Training and
Awareness
4. Dealing with Complaints
5. Process Improvement

DET framework for preventing bullying
Legislation: OHS, Anti-discrimination
Workers Compensation
Dignity & Respect in the Workplace Charter
DET Prevention of DET Code of DET Complaints

bullying in the conduct policy handling policy
workplace policy
DET Code of DET Complaint

Conduct handling
guidelines

Prevention of bullying in the workplace
policy
• The policy states the Department’s
commitment to dignity and respect and
preventing and responding to bullying
• Protection of complainants and witnesses
from victimisation
• Specifies managers’ and staff members’
responsibilities
Code of Conduct
• The Code of Conduct establishes a common
understanding of the standards of behaviour
expected of all employees of the Department
• Areas covered by the Code include:
– Respect for people
– Professional behaviour
– Taking responsibility
– Relationships between staff and students
– Conflict of interest
Code of Conduct
All employees are to:
• Be courteous and responsive
• Take responsibility for their own conduct and
work with colleagues cooperatively
• Treat colleagues with dignity and respect
• Promote cooperation and harmonious relations
• Consider their own and others’ health and
safety
• Report discriminatory or harassing behaviour
Code of Conduct
• Managers and principals must lead by example
and take steps to ensure the workplace is free
from harassment, bullying and unlawful
discrimination
• Breaches can be dealt with under the
Complaints Handling Guidelines and may be
investigated
• Proven breaches may result in disciplinary or
remedial action.

Complaints handling
• Complaints handling procedures used for
bullying
• Complaints resolved promptly, impartially and
in a just manner
• Report matter to supervisor/workplace
manager
• Non victimisation of person who reports

Complaints handling
• Alleged bully treated as innocent unless the
allegations proved
• Staff counselled on inappropriate behaviour
• Informal resolution is encouraged for less
serious complaints
• For a formal complaint the seriousness is
assessed to determine negotiation or investigation
• Complaints Handling Guidelines available on
intranet
Responsibilities of managers and employees
Managers are to:
• Encourage a work culture of dignity and respect
• Consult staff
• Take action to prevent bullying
• Investigate complaints promptly, support both parties
Employees are to:
• Treat others with dignity and
respect and not bully or harass
• Report bullying and hazards
• Participate in consultation.

What does the workplace need to do?
• Promote a positive workplace culture with open
consultation and communication
• Clearly set the standard of acceptable, professional
behaviour, and address unacceptable behaviour
• Create awareness and provide instruction/training
• Take a risk management approach to bullying,
identify risk factors and control
• Continue to monitor bullying and review controls
• Encourage reporting and investigate complaints
promptly.
Consultation
• Consultation with occupational health and
safety representatives and the OHS
committee should precede all proposed
action to reduce the risk
of bullying.

What can you do?
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect
• See issues from the other person’s view
• Communicate clearly
• Do not dwell on conflicts from the past
• Deal with communication problems early
• Participate in consultation on bullying
• Do not bully back if you are bullied – use the
procedures

If you believe you are being bullied
• Where possible seek to resolve the issue
• If this is not successful, report the complaint -
lodge a complaint using the complaint handling
procedures
• Seek counselling through the Employee
Assistance Program
• Contact your OHS Advisor or Regional OHS
Liaison Manager
• Cooperate with any investigation and resolution
strategies.
In summary
• Everyone has a responsibility to maintain an
environment of dignity and respect
• Create awareness, communicate and consult
• Take a preventative, risk management approach
• Report bullying
• Follow up on complaints promptly
• Monitor and review the workplace.

Thank you for your
participation!


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Dignity and Respect in the

Occupational Health and Safety

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

• It is easier to prevent bullying

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

Dignity & Respect in the Workplace Charter

DET Prevention of DET Code of DET Complaints

DET Code of DET Complaint

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Department of Education & Training

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