WorkSafe is committed to protecting the funds and assets placed under its
controls and protection for the benefit of the Victorian community.
Any fraud or corruption committed against WorkSafe is a major concern to
WorkSafe. Consequently, any allegations of observed or suspected fraud or
corruption will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate disciplinary action
will be taken against any employee or any other person(s) who commits fraud
or corruption against WorkSafe.
What is fraud?
Fraud is dishonest activity or potential financial loss to WorkSafe including
theft of moneys or other property by employees or persons external to
WorkSafe. This also includes the deliberate falsification, concealment,
destruction or use of falsified documentation used or intended for use
for a normal business purpose or the improper use of information or
position.
Fraudulent behaviour relating to Worker Compensation
The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour by a
worker:
knowingly submitting a false claim
providing false information
working whilst on compensation benefits
altering a medical certificate
submitting false travel expense claims.
The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour by an employer:
failing to have a return to work plan
failing to offer suitable employment
failing to forward a claim within the statutory time period
dismissing worker for lodging a claim for compensation
refusing to accept a WorkSafe Injury Insurance claim
failing to make weekly compensation payments.
The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour by a service
provider:
claiming for services which were not given (service providers, private
investigators etc) providing false invoices, medical certificates
providing deliberate over-servicing.
Fraudulent behaviour relating to Premium:
The following are examples of fraudulent behaviour by an employer:
deliberately providing incorrect information about the type of work being
undertaken (workplace industry classification - WIC)
deliberately understating amount of remuneration for premium calculation
failing to have an insurance policy when required.
What is corruption?
Corruption is any dishonest activity in which a director, executive, manager,
employee, or contractor of WorkSafe acts contrary to the interests of WorkSafe
and abuses their position of trust in order to achieve some personal gain or
advantage for themselves or for another person or entity.
The following are examples of corrupt behaviour:
deliberate schemes or arrangements to reduce premium
payment of secret commissions paid in money or some other value to a
WorkSafe employee, contractor, service providers and clients
conflict of interest involving a WorkSafe employee, contractors, service provider,
Agent or that of a relative or friend acting on his own self-interest rather than
the interests of WorkSafe
release of confidential information, for other than a proper business purpose,
sometimes in exchange for either a financial or non-financial advantage.
How to report suspected fraud or corruption relating to Worker’s
Compensation:
To report suspected fraud or corruption relating to Worker’s Compensation
contact Worksafe on:
Phone: (03) 96411051
Fax: (03) 96411631
Email: assessment_centre@worksafe.vic.gov.au
How to report suspected fraud or corruption relating to
Premium avoidance:
To report suspected fraud or corruption relating to Premium avoidance contact
Worksafe on:
Phone: (03) 96411206
Fax: (03) 96411768
Email: premium_information@worksafe.vic.gov.au
How to make a confidential complaint under the WorkSafe’s
Whistleblower Protection Procedures:
The Whistleblowers Protection Act 2001 deals with whistleblowing and
protection for people who report allegations of improper or corrupt conduct
by WorkSafe or its employees
To make a confidential complaint under the WorkSafe’s Whistleblower
Protection Procedures you can contact:
The Protected Disclosure Officer
Marlo BaragwanathGeneral CounselCorporate Legal Services
Phone: 03 9641 1027
or any of the WorkSafe’s other Protected Disclosure Officers.
For their contact details, see the publication WorkSafe’s
Whistleblower's Protection Procedures
What action will WorkSafe take?
Where allegations are supported, WorkSafe will respond appropriately,
in the circumstances, by either initiating disciplinary action under its’
internal policies, notifying the appropriate law enforcement agencies or
reporting to relevant authorities. This may include referral to the Police.
WorkSafe is committed to protecting the funds and assets placed under
its controls and protection for the benefit of the Victorian community.
Any fraud or corruption committed against WorkSafe is a major concern
to WorkSafe. Consequently, any allegations of observed or suspected
fraud or corruption will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate disciplinary
action will be taken against any employee or any other person(s) who
commits fraud or corruption against WorkSafe.
Who to contact for general guidance and advice
Contact our Advisory Service for general guidance and advice relating to
Occupational Health and Safety and Workers Compensation.
Phone: (03) 9641 1444
Toll Free: 1800 136 089
Email: info@worksafe.vic.gov.au
WCV'S: Don't you just love the line, "If the allegations are supported,
worksafe will respond appropriately". Well within worksafe victoria
"Appropriately" means to ignore evidence and not investigate then,
they can say, "the allegations were not supported therefore we will not
act on your complaints!"
So, in short, if you dont look you dont know!
Its an easy way of squirming out of complexed cases and allows
worksafe to deny any requests for further investigations into your
claims!
My Partners employers were complained about for 7 years before
worksafe investigated the claims made or visited the site and by
then the employers had been given enough time to cover their tracks!
This is not good enough! It's just slack!
How can you be told you were treated fairly and transparently when you
are not given the same opportunities as some employers do?
My Partners ex employers were rewarded for their non compliance by
Worksafe Victoria and were given a government grant to clean up the
factories poor workplace safety programs.
So how is this fair? The injured workers gets nothing and losses his job
but the employers get a grant and got away with not providing a safe
workplace.
How good must this system be to the employers of this state, they
must just, love it? You can blow it completely, then be paid money to
fix it or cover it up, so with that thought, I will leave it to the readers of
this blog to decide if this behaviour by Worksafe Victoria is fair, or not?
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