Safety Alert 125 | Reporting Harassment, Abuse and Bullying in the Workplace
At ETI/EGT, all employees (including apprentices), managers and Host Employers are expected to treat one another with respect and courtesy. Bullying, harassment, discrimination, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. These behaviours are also unlawful under State and Federal Occupational Health and Safety, Anti-Discrimination, Sex Discrimination legislation and Employment legislation.
Bullying
Repeated unreasonable behaviour directed towards an employee or group of employees by an individual or a group of individuals.
Bullying can be seen as:
- Belittling or humiliating comments
- Spreading malicious rumours
- Teasing, practical jokes
- Exclusion from work-related events
- Deliberately calling someone the incorrect name
Discrimination
Discrimination occurs when someone is treated differently to others due to personal characteristics or attributes protected by law.
Discrimination can be seen as:
- A disability impairment (either physical or mental)
- Race
- Age
- Religion
- Political conviction
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
- Carers or family responsibilities
- Marital Status
- Union membership, non-union membership or participation in union activities
Harassment
Harassment can be verbal, written, or physical and unlike bullying, this behaviour does not need to be repeated to be considered harassment.
Harassment behaviour may involve, but is not limited to, any of the following:
- Violent or threatening physical or verbal outburst or abuse
- Offensive gestures and ‘wolf whistling’
- Jokes or cartoons about someone’s appearance
- Asking intrusive questions about someone’s personal life, including their sex life
- Making derogatory comments or taunts about someone’s race.
- Telling insulting jokes about racial groups.
- Making derogatory comments about someone’s disability.
- Pornographic imagery
- Homophobic or Transphobic imagery
- Obscene telephone calls.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment includes any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature where it is reasonable to expect that the behaviour would cause offence, humiliation, or intimidation. Intent is not a required factor; what matters is the impact.
Sexual Harassment is:
- An unwelcome sexual advance or quest for sexual favours to the person who is harassed
- Other unwelcome conduct of sexual nature in relation to the person
Examples of sexual harassment can include, but not limited to any of the following:
- Inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome touching
- Staring or leering
- A suggestive comment or joke
- A sexually explicit picture or poster
- An unwanted invitation to go out on dates
- A request for sex
- Intrusive questioning about a person’s personal private life or body
- An insult or a taunt of a sexual nature
- A sexually explicit email or text message
Incidents that are considered sexual harassment are in breach of our EEO, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy and Code of Conduct. They are also a breach of legislation, namely, the Fair Work Act 2009 and the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.
Reporting harassment and bullying
We encourage you to report instances of workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination or sexual harassment.
We foster a safe working environment and therefore we need your assistance with reporting instances such as these.
How to make a report
You can reach out to any of the following people for advice, support or to raise a concern or complaint.
- Your Field Officer
- Gary Livett (EGT Operations Manager)
- Hrsupport@eti.org.au (Rani Win or Leone Gatt)
- Internal WHS Team (Matt Blampey or Jumaine Sewell)
Support Services
Ashcliffe Psychology - 1800 468 001 or visit their website.
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Beyondblue - 1300 224 636
1800RESPECT - 1800 737 7
Some forms of sexual harassment may constitute criminal offences, such as sexual assault. If you have experienced such conduct and wish to make a report, you are encouraged to contact your local police station
Feedback:
For further information or feedback regarding this Safety Alert, please contact EGT on (08) 6241 6100 or talk to your Field Officer.
