By Richard Baker State Political Reporter, October 7, 2004.
Victorian taxpayers face a massive bill for workplace bullying offences that
occur in State Government departments and agencies.
Documents tabled in State Parliament show that six bullying cases from last
year involving two government departments and one agency cost almost $1
million in settlement expenses and increases in WorkCover premiums.
Details of the bullying claims came as the Community and Public Sector Union
yesterday said one-third of public servants it surveyed, on behalf of WorkCover,
reported being the victims of bullying.
Further costs of bullying in the public service are expected to be revealed in
coming weeks as more departments and agencies disclose the extent of claims
and increases in WorkCover premiums.
The Opposition has submitted questions on notice to all ministers asking them
to disclose the cost of bullying claims made against departments and agencies
under their control during 2003.
Community and Public Sector Union assistant secretary Jim Walton yesterday
said bullying was a big problem in the public sector workforce.
Mr Walton said hundreds of public servants had been involved in the ongoing
survey. They had reported bullying offences that included physical violence,
harassment, intimidation and retribution.
The Education Department has recently received two WorkCover warnings -
one after a school services worker reported having a microphone cord placed
around their neck, and another when a school worker reported being physically
assaulted by a superior.
Mr Walton said the union was seeking talks with the Government to ensure
"stringent bullying policies" were implemented. "Our main concern is the
degree of independence of investigations. Often it is the person accused of
bullying that is left to deal with it," he said.
Documents show that VicRoads had five bullying offences reported last year
and the Department of Infrastructure faced one bullying allegation. Both bodies
are under the control of Transport Minister Peter Batchelor.
Four of the VicRoads bullying cases resulted in WorkCover claims that cost a
total of $151,400. The Infrastructure Department was ordered to pay $2399.
The four claims against VicRoads have increased its WorkCover premium by
$605,600.
Five bullying cases were reported to the Department of Sustainability
and Environment and other agencies under the control of Environment Minister
John Thwaites last year. Three of the complaints have resulted in WorkCover
investigations, with the total cost of the only claim to be competed so far
being $152,128. The completed claim had a huge impact on the department's
WorkCover premium, raising the cost by $84,319.
Opposition WorkCover spokesman Bill Forwood yesterday said a disturbing
trend was emerging that showed big internal problems in the public sector
workforce.
A spokeswoman for WorkCover Minister Rob Hulls said bullying in any
workplace was unacceptable and that the public service should set an example.
"The Bracks Government introduced guidelines for the prevention of bullying
and violence at work last year. This was endorsed by the Australian Industry
Group, Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Trades Hall
and the Master Builders Association," the spokeswoman said.
Bullying claimed a high profile scalp this year when former Queensland tourism
minister Merri Rose quit Premier Peter Beattie's front bench after a bullying
complaint laid by her former secretary was upheld.
No comments:
Post a Comment