ARTICLE · 19 MARCH 2013

Fair Work Commission to take on workplace bullying complaints

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The Fair Work Commission will be given the power to deal with workplace bullying complaints.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Georgos Papanastasiou

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The Federal Government recently announced that it will amend existing laws to give the Fair Work Commission (FWC) the power to deal with workplace bullying complaints. If implemented, this will significantly change the existing legislative and regulatory framework dealing with workplace bullying. It will make a significant difference to the way employers and employees contend with workplace bullying issues.

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES?

The proposed changes are part of the Federal Government's response to a federal parliamentary committee's (Committee) report on workplace bullying which made various recommendations in October 2012.

The Committee recommended that workers who are targeted by workplace bullying be given the specific right to seek redress through an adjudicative process. The Federal Government has pledged to do so by providing employees with a right of recourse to the FWC.

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