ARTICLE · 22 NOVEMBER 2013

Workplace bullying guides in place - replacing proposed Code of Practice

DLA Piper Australia

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Safe Work Australia has determined to release its draft Code of Practice on Workplace Bullying in the form of a Guide.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

After two years, two drafts and two rounds of public consultation, Safe Work Australia has determined to release its draft Code of Practice on Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying in the form of a Guide (Bullying Guide).

While the Bullying Guide will not have the same legal force as a Code of Practice, it will set a national benchmark for managing workplace bullying that is likely to have a strong impact on, not only work health and safety law, but on applications to the Fair Work Commission under the new anti-bullying laws that apply from 1 January 2014.

Safe Work Australia will also issue a separate 'Workers Guide' to workplace bullying (Workers Guide). The Workers Guide can be expected to have a strong influence on employee expectations around how organisations should respond to bullying complaints.

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