Unions/Government Bullying Taskforce

The PSA's campaign to eradicate bullying and harassment in the public service has taken another step forward with the establishment of a bullying taskforce chaired by the Public Employment Office of the Premiers Department.

The Taskforce consists of representatives from the Public Employment Office, Department of Health, WorkCover Authority and Unions NSW, Public Service Association, Nurses Association and Health Services Union. The taskforce intends to invite other agencies to participate on this committee.

The taskforce will be developing policies and procedures to deal with bullying and harassment in the public sector. To assist in doing this the committee will establish focus groups with various agencies to survey the extent and "type" of bullying that occurs.

The committee will also be developing training modules to assist agencies to train and inform managers and staff about how to prevent and effective deal with bullying and harassment in the workplace.

Policies and procedures are being developed in line with the principles and steps outlined in the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter that was signed by the Director-General of Premiers Department. Dr Col Gellately and PSA Assistant General Secretary Steve Turner on 8 September 2004.

In the meantime the PSA encourages delegates to get the Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter to be signed locally. (For more information on how to do this contact your Industrial Officer.)

When completed the committee intends to launch the policies & procedures package to public sector agencies and their staff.

PSA representatives on this committee are Anne Kennelly, Women's Industrial Officer, Sharon Vasser, Organiser, Schools, and Pam Vievers OH&S Training Officer.