Page 5762 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The Greens recently questioned the ACT government about efforts on bullying prevention. I was disappointed to learn that WorkSafe had only audited one employment sector for bullying compliance in the ACT, which was the takeaway food industry, and the compliance rate was low. To WorkSafe’s credit, the result of the audit is that it is now developing further guidance material specifically on bullying for small businesses.
This example shows the kind of progress that can be made in workplace bullying when it is targeted. We need to learn what is happening in all the other workplace sectors and make improvements in these sectors, as many workplaces are not well informed on the issues.
As well as identifying workplace sectors that are vulnerable to bullying, I would hope that the specialised inspectors, in conjunction with the advisory committee that is established through this bill, would work on identifying demographic vulnerabilities.
I have had the opportunity to discuss approaches to bullying and psychosocial hazards with both Workplace Health and Safety Queensland and WorkSafe Victoria. Both of these jurisdictions have decided that specialised inspectorates are needed to deal with bullying and other psychosocial hazards. Queensland now has a psychosocial unit that includes registered psychologists and specialists with backgrounds in fields such as social work and human resources management from high risk industries.
I believe there is strong evidence that this approach is working and that it is increasing the regulator’s ability to intervene early and to help address the systemic factors that contribute to workplace bullying and other psychosocial hazards. For example, an evaluation of Queensland’s psychosocial program in 2009 found that the program had secured substantial achievements, such as an increased awareness in organisations in effectively managing psychosocial issues and risks in the work environment.
The second key aspect of the bill is to form an expert advisory committee in relation to workplace bullying and other workplace psychosocial issues. This advisory committee will draw on the knowledge and experience of a range of people, including union representatives, academics with expertise in relevant fields and people with professional or clinical knowledge and experience in bullying.
The bill uses existing machinery in the Work Health and Safety Act and establishes a committee that will report to the Work Safety Council, and to the minister via that council. The bill permits the council to also appoint additional suitably qualified people to the committee who would have qualifications or expertise relevant to the functions of the committee, such as a person who represents victims of bullying.
The bill sets out the functions of the committee which will monitor the development and operation of laws and procedures in the territory and other jurisdictions, recommend amendments to territory laws and procedures and report at least twice a year on these matters. Research and practice in this area of work health and safety is fast evolving and the advisory council is tasked with ensuring that the ACT has information and data necessary to implement best practice laws and procedures.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video