Staff at a food manufacturer speak publicly about years of alleged workplace bullying

Almost half the staff at an inner-city gourmet food manufacturer have spoken out about alleged extreme workplace bullying. The staff took the unusual step of speaking publicly about the alleged bullying because they hoped doing so would help their situation.

18 staff out of 38 accused their employer of allowing bullying to go unchecked despite numerous complaints, including allowing a senior staff member to:
■Regularly scream at them & make sexual comments.
■Tell workers they needed to give 48 hours' notice if they wanted to take sick days.
■Demand staff work overtime, without any notice.
■Tell any casual worker who became full time they must ''celebrate'' by buying lunch for the entire workplace, or buying a supervisor a gift.
■Keep the wages of some employees for up to 8 weeks.
■Pressure most staff to pay her - in cash - 10% of a backpay payment.

The case will throw a spotlight on laws passed last year that were aimed at tackling workplace bullying.

Vocam Training Videos
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Managers
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Employees
Social Media, Email and Online Etiquette

E-learning Courses
Workplace Bullying and Harassment – E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Managers – E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Employees – E-Learning
Social Media, Email and Online Etiquette – E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Source: http://www.theage.com.au/small-business/staff-at-food-plant-allege-years-of-extreme-bullying-20121007-277dc.html

Workplace bullying laws need reform, experts and unions claim

Unions and experts have urged the government to make sweeping reforms to workplace bullying laws, arguing the current system prolongs victims’ pain.
- After finishing public hearings in August, a parliamentary committee will deliver its report to the Workplace Relations Minister by November 30.
- The ACTU has called for tougher penalties and a more accessible forum to quickly and cheaply resolve bullying complaints.
- The Law Institute of Victoria argues there should be a “quick, cost effective civil remedy through a tribunal for bullying in the workplace”.
- Employers need more certainty surrounding changes to unfair dismissal laws so that they are not in a catch-22 situation when it comes to sacking staff for bullying, says Daniel Mammone, the workplace policy director at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
- Employers have told the bullying inquiry existing laws provide sufficient protection for victims.

For more information on this workplace safety and HR news, visit: http://www.afr.com/p/national/work_space/bullying_laws_need_reforms_experts_UZD6NPVBVvmYkeAD56dHUK

Vocam Training Videos
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Managers
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Employees
Social Media, Email and Online Etiquette

E-learning Courses
Workplace Bullying and Harassment – E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Managers – E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office: Employees – E-Learning
Social Media, Email and Online Etiquette – E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Workplace bullying could be criminalised throughout Australia

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed a national version of workplace bullying laws introduced in Victoria last year, which criminalise serious workplace bullying. Under the changes, workplace bullies can face up to 10 years jail time. The Victorian law, also known as “Brodie’s Law” was established after the tragic suicide of 19-year-old Brodie Panlock, a waitress who faced relentless taunts and abuse at work.

In May 2012, Ms Gillard announced a national review into workplace bullying, which will assess the nature, causes and degree of workplace bullying. ''One way we could add to what we're doing now is to take Brodie's law nationally and to have a common national law to deal with bullying in the workplace,'' Ms Gillard said.

What impact does bullying have on your workplace?
According to the Australian Productivity Commission, workplace bullying costs employers and the Australian economy between $6 billion and $36 billion per year.

Employers are responsible for helping to prevent bullying and harassing behaviour in the workplace. It is in their interests to make it clear to everyone that such behaviour will not be tolerated. The costs to the business may include poor employee relations, low morale, inefficiency and potentially the loss of staff. Training all staff about the standards of behaviour expected can make it easier for all individuals to be fully aware of their responsibilities to others.

Vocam Training Videos
Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Social Media, Email and Online Etiquette
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office for Employees
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office for Managers
Violence at Work

E-learning Courses
Social Media, Email & Online Etiquette - E-Learning
Workplace Bullying & Harassment - E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office for Employees E-Learning
Maintaining a Harassment Free Office for Managers E-Learning

Available as part of TrainNOW. For more information, contact us or visit our website.

Sources: The Sydney Morning Herald Safe to Work