Draft rules for how the Fair Work Commission will deal with
bullying complaints have been released for public comment.
How the Fair Work Commission proposes to handle bullying
complaints
Application and initial assessment
The worker lodges the application. The application is checked to
ensure it is complete and valid, and then served on the employer /
principal, and, in most cases, the alleged bullies. Where feasible,
contact will be made with the employer / principal. All will be
given an opportunity to be heard, before any substantive
hearings.
The anti-bullying team gives the Panel Head a report outlining
whether the matter involves any potential jurisdictional issues,
the nature of the alleged conduct, whether it may be suitable for
mediation, factors that might indicate the degree of urgency and
other relevant factors that would inform a decision about the
assignment of the application.
