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What are unions doing about bullying and harassment in the workplace?
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In 2000, the ACTU and unions conducted a national health and safety campaign on bullying in the workplace – being bossed around is bad for your health – the workplace is no place for bullying. The campaign raised awareness amongst the community, workers, unions, employers, health professionals, and governments about bullying.
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The campaign highlighted that:
Bullying is not just persecuting or ganging up on individuals – most
bullying is not so obvious - bossing people around, intimidating or threatening
them, or keeping them under constant work and time pressures is also
bullying.
Bullying is a serious health and safety hazard, which is characterised by
(usually a combination of) the following conditions at work:
unreasonable demands and impossible targets
restrictive and petty work rules
being required to perform tasks without adequate training
being forced to stay back to finish work or additional tasks
compulsory overtime, unfair rostering or allocation of work
constant, intrusive surveillance or monitoring
no say in how your job is done
interference with personal belongings or sabotage of work
shouting, or abusive language;
open or implied threat of the sack, or demotion
oppressive, unhappy work environment
people afraid to speak up about conditions, behaviours, or health and safety
Unions and the ACTU are continuing to pressure governments and employers to do more about stopping workplace bullying. See bullying information at http://actu.labor.net.au/public/resources/bullying/
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If you want to know more about your rights at work call the Unions Helpline 1300 362 223 |
Ask Neale is a joint initiative of the NSW Labor Council and the ACTU.
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