ARTICLE · 21 JUNE 2013

What’s in the nature of a bully? - draft code of practice for public comment

Kemp Strang Lawyers

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Employers should update their bullying and harassment policies to make it clear what is and isn't bullying behaviour.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

Lisa Berton (Formerly With Kemp Strang Lawyers)

Ben Urry (Formerly With Kemp Strang Lawyers)

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After much wait and discussion Safe Work Australia has finally released another version of the draft code of practice "Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying". This draft code will remain open for public comment until 15 July 2013. A copy of the draft code can be found here.

What is workplace bullying?

The draft code defines workplace bullying as "repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety".

Although a single incident of unreasonable behaviour would not automatically be considered workplace bullying, given the potential for escalation of single incidents into repeated behaviour the draft code notes that these incidents should not be ignored.

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