Phone (08) 8981 0655 and 1800 817 055

Email admin@ntwwc.com.au Web www.ntwwc.com.au

Darwin GPO Box 403 Darwin, NT, 0801 Alice Springs PO Box 664, Alice Springs, NT, 0870

Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying

The Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying workshop is provided by Work Aware to help workplaces understand what constitutes bullying, how to prevent and respond to bullying and how to effectively implement a strong workplace bullying policy.

Workplace bullying is costing Australian businesses up to $36 billion dollars1 a year and compensation claims related to bullying and harassment cost three times more than any other claim, including physical injury claims2. These costs can be avoided through effective policy and response.

Who Business owners, managers, HR personnel and all other employees

How many people Up to 20 participants

Duration 3 hours for a standard session

Where Tailored sessions can be held in your workplace

Public sessions are held at Maurice Blackburn Lawyers

Cost Price upon application. Discounts apply for not for profit organisations

Module Topic Outcomes

1 What is workplace bullying

• Ability to articulate and identify what is workplace bullying, what is not workplace bullying and what management action is considered to be reasonable

• Ability to identify and differentiate between workplace bullying, discrimination, harassment and sexual harassment

• Understanding the characteristics of people who use bullying behaviours and which workplaces are most at risk

2 How does workplace bullying affect the workplace

• Understanding the impact of workplace bullying on the individual target, their colleagues and the productivity of a workplace

3 Responses

• Understanding how the individual target, colleagues and by-standers can respond

• Understanding legal remedies available to the target of bullying

• Understanding the legal obligations of the employer

4 Prevention • The essential elements of effective preventative policy and practice pitfalls for workplaces

5 Practice • Ability to identify an appropriate management response to a workplace bullying scenario

1 Productivity Commission (2010), Benchmarking Business Regulation: Occupational Health and Safety. 2 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Education and Employment (2012), Workplace Bullying ‘We Just Want It To Stop’, Commonwealth of Australia.

Phone (08) 8981 0655 and 1800 817 055

Email admin@ntwwc.com.au Web www.ntwwc.com.au

Darwin GPO Box 403 Darwin, NT, 0801 Alice Springs PO Box 664, Alice Springs, NT, 0870

Training packages can be tailored to meet the individual needs of each organisation.

Bullying in the workplace

The most creative, productive and effective workplaces are the ones that are harmonious, diverse and where workers feel respected and free from workplace bullying. Unfortunately, many Australian workplaces operate in busy and stressful environments characterised by tight deadlines, high performance expectations and recruitment and retention issues. These conditions can lead to workplace bullying.

People who are being bullied in the workplace have reported:

• being less active or successful at work • lower confidence • feeling scared, anxious, stressed or depressed • wanting to stay away from work • having physical signs of stress such as headaches, backaches and sleep problems3. When bullying is sustained and/or severe it can cause or exacerbate serious health issues such as eczema, high blood pressure, digestive disorders, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. National and state or territory anti-bullying laws are in place to protect people in the workplace. Employers have an obligation to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

Responding to bullying in the workplace

The consequences and costs associated with workplace bullying are expensive and damaging to businesses. These impacts can be minimised or avoided through:

• effective policy • zero tolerance approach to workplace bullying • training for key staff • effective communication of policies • knowing how to prevent and respond to workplace bullying appropriately. This workshop can help assess a workplace’s current situation and help to develop a clear way towards zero workplace bullying.

Work Aware

Work Aware provides tailored workplace training packages to support strong, healthy and high performing work environments.

Work Aware is delivered by local staff with more than 20 years’ experience in industrial relations and workplace issues.

We use our specialist knowledge in a range of health and wellbeing areas to help organisations provide a positive and supportive workplace for all staff and management.

Investing in the health and wellbeing of staff leads to better workplace culture, sense of team and performance.

Work Aware hosts private tailored sessions as well as regular sessions open to the general public. Please contact our office to find out what option best suits you or your organisation or visit www.trybooking.com/eventlist/workawareworkshops to see upcoming public sessions.

3 https://www.humanrights.gov.au/workplace-bullying-violence-harassment-and-bullying-fact-sheet