Harassment
Everyone has the right to a workplace free from bullying and harassment. If you have a question or feel that you are being bullied or harassed at work, you should contact your union delegate or union branch.
Harassment can take several forms, including:
Workplace bullying
Sexual harassment
Racial discrimination
Other forms of discrimination
Workplace bullying
Bullying in the workplace is a serious health and safety hazard, with many workers facing the stress of being harassed every working day.
Over half of workers report intimidation in their workplace, and over 350,000 people are experiencing long-term bullying right now.
If you, or any of your workmates, are being bullied, you can take action to stop it. Contact your union delegate or union office for support.
What is workplace bullying?
Bullying is any behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates another worker. It can also take subtle forms.
It can occur between a manager (or supervisor) and a worker, between co-workers or between a worker and someone else in the workplace.
Bullying can include:
- Verbal abuse, insults, threats of violence or intimidation.
- Unwarranted or constant criticism, and belittling of opinion.
- Teasing or being joked about.
- Tampering with personal effects.
- Isolation from normal work interaction, training or career opportunities.
- Overwork, facing impossible work targets or unreasonable demands.
- Restrictive or petty rules.
- Constant intrusive surveillance.
What are the effects of bullying?
The effects of bullying can be extremely serious to the individual, and to companies.
Bullying can have a range of effects, including:
Loss of confidence and self esteem, feelings of isolation and problems with work
performance.
High stress levels - leading to sleep difficulties, problems concentrating, rashes
and headaches.
Ill health such as anxiety related illness, anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
Find out more
QLD Dept of IR: Workplace Harassment
VIC Workcover: Workplace bullying and occupational violence
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is any sexual conduct that is unwelcome and uninvited. It is a serious workplace issue.
Sexual harassment is illegal in every state and territory of Australia. It is the responsibility of employers to have procedures for dealing with it (see HREOC link below). It is also illegal for an employer to treat any worker unfairly because of their gender.
If you, or any of your workmates, are facing harassment, you can work together to stop it. Talk to your union delegate or branch for support.
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment doesn't only mean unwanted touching or assault.
It includes other behaviour, such as:
- Talking about sex when it makes someone uncomfortable,
- Sexual comments, jokes, rumours or teasing,
- Giving offensive looks, staring or leering,
- Putting up or circulating pornography or offensive material, or
- Pressuring someone for sex.
In general, it is any unwanted behaviour which offends, humiliates or intimidates. It can occur over a period of time, or be a single act.
Harassment can come from an employer, supervisor, another employee or a member of the public.
Effects of sexual harassment
Sexual harassment can lead to serious workplace problems. It can have a range of effects, including:
Loss of confidence and self esteem, feelings of isolation and problems with work
performance.
High stress levels - leading to sleep difficulties, problems concentrating, rashes
and headaches.
Ill health such as anxiety related illness, anxiety, depression and panic attacks.
Find out more
Racial discrimination
Racial discrimination is any action that treats someone unfairly because of their race, nationality or ethnicity. Discriminating against someone because of their race, nationality or ethnicity is illegal in Australia.
Employers have a legal responsibility to do their best to ensure that the workplace is free of discrimination and harassment.
What is racial discrimination?
Racial discrimination involves any unfair treatment, including:
- Any form of harassment, such as abuse, causing offence or assault,
- Putting down or intimidating someone,
- Vilifying or insulting a particular racial group,
- Ignoring, isolating or segregating a person, or,
- Introducing practices or policies which disadvantage a certain group.
Racial discrimination is illegal and there is a government equal opportunity or anti-discrimination body to protect your rights. Racial discrimination is unacceptable and must not be tolerated in any workplace. If you, or any of your workmates, are facing racial discrimination, you can work together to stop it. Talk to your union delegate or branch for support.
Find out more
HREOC: Racial discrimination
Racism. No Way. - A school site with information on preventing racism.
Other forms of discrimination
All forms of discrimination and harassment are unacceptable in the workplace and must be stopped.
People can be discriminated against because of:
- Sex
- Race
- Martial status
- Pregnancy
- Disability
- Physical characteristics
- Homosexuality
- Religion
- Political beliefs
- Union membership
Many forms of discrimination and harassment are illegal under Australian law.
Keep an eye out for these in your workplace, and stick up for anyone who is treated unfairly. If you, or any of your workmates, are facing any form of discrimination, you can work together to stop it. Talk to your union delegate or branch for support.
