Dignity & Respect in the Workplace Charter Ultimo TAFE is committed to a workplace that requires acceptable behaviour from everyone and provides dignity and respect to all its employees. All workplace participants should treat each other with respect. However, when a person faces unreasonable, offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening and repeated actions, then this amounts to workplace bullying and should not be tolerated. Ultimo TAFE has a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ to bullying at work. 1 TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015 Definition Bullying behaviour may be directed upwards or downwards Bullying will generally meet the following 4 criteria: It is repeated – a single incident should not be condoned or ignored It is unwelcome and unsolicited The recipient considers the behaviour to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening It can include: Abuse – verbal, physical, emotional Unfair use of workplace systems Workplace/social exclusion Practical jokes 2 TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015 Good Management v Bullying GOOD MANAGEMENT Decisive Accepts responsibility Leads by example Shares credit, knowledge Acknowledges failings Consistent, Confident Values others Fair Truthful 3 BULLYING Inconsistent, random, Abdicates responsibility Plagiarises, takes all the credit Exclusive self-interest Denies failings, blames others Poor interpersonal skills Selectively includes/excludes sets a poor example Insecure, arrogant TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015 Email Scenario To : addressee CC: 23 names SUBJECT Issue with a teacher in your section. I am writing to you about the behaviour of your teacher xxx. I have observed him in the classroom as I frequently teach next door, and I don’t think he understands the first thing about teaching. I am only saying this because I know you have not had much managerial experience, and you will have to do something about him. I don’t think he should even be teaching. I and other staff I have spoken to about this have also noticed other things that you should really be addressing in your section.You need to do something about it ASAP. I am only raising this for your own good. With all due respect XXXX 4 TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015 Workplace Costs of Bullying Direct Costs Indirect Costs: Absenteeism Staff Turnover Litigation Increased work accident rate and/ or work error rate Reduced efficiency and productivity Poor employee motivation 5 Cost of time spent on the issue Loss in productivity Industrial problems Negative publicity for organisation Stress, loss of self esteem Increased worker’s compensation rehabilitation costs TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015 How to report bullying behaviour Incident report/incident reporting procedures Informal /Formal complaints procedure Direct approach How to act on reports of bullying. Treat all matters seriously considering natural justice Non-victimisation of person who reports Act promptly following policy, procedures, guidelines Neutrality, Confidentiality Document and Communicate process 6 TAFE NSW Sydney Institute - Ultimo 10/04/2015