We're told that workplace bullying costs Australian
employers as much as $36 billion per annum. We're not quite
sure how that figure was hatched, but the Government has decided to
have a shot at arresting it by amending the Fair Work Act to enable
the Fair Work Commission to make "stop bullying
orders".
So, how will it work? Well, it's not entirely clear.
Under the proposed provisions, which are meant to take effect on
1 July 2013, if a worker reasonably believes he or she is being
bullied, they can make an application to the FWC for an order to
prevent the conduct.
What amounts to bullying? Apparently it's where an
individual, or group of individuals, repeatedly behaves
unreasonably towards the worker, or a group of workers of which the
worker is a member; and that behaviour creates a risk to health and
safety. Glad we cleared that up. Oh, and reasonable management
action carried out in a reasonable manner is not bullying. Sound
reasonable?
