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The Fair Work Commission's new powers to hear workplace bullying complaints took effect from 1 January , spotlighting the obligation on employers to ensure appropriate measures are in place to reduce or eliminate the risk of workplace bullying and respond to complaints by workers.

Measures to reduce or eliminate bullying are however not just about the risk of a claim being made to the Commission.

The Productivity Commission has estimated the total cost of workplace bullying in Australia to be between $6 billion and $36 billion a year.

The number of bullying complaints to work health safety regulators is also increasing around 5,000 to 6,000 complaints a year are made in New South Wales and Victoria respectively.

It is also clear that the number of bullying-related workers' compensation claims (often for psychological injury) is rising. Safe Work Australia reports a 70% increase in the number of national workers' compensation claims for bullying over the last three years.

So, how can you eliminate or reduce the risk of bullying in your workplace?

There are a number of measures employers can take:

• Implement processes to identify workplace bullying or the potential for it (i.e. risk assessment and hazard identification)
• Ensure appropriate preventative and response measures are in place, such as:
  • Clear and well communicated policy dealing with workplace bullying
  • Robust complaint management and investigation processes
  • Staff training on bullying policy
• Specific training for managers and supervisors, health and safety representatives and contact officers to equip them to effectively respond to complaints of bullying
• Consider more general preventative measures such as:
  • Promote a positive workplace culture and respectful working relationships
  • Equip leaders and staff to deal with workplace conflict appropriately
  • Up-skill managers and supervisors to appropriately manage performance and conduct issues in the workplace
• Access to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
• Consult with workers in relation to bullying (this is a requirement of the harmonised Work Health Safety laws)
• Monitor and review the effectiveness of preventative measures

How can Ai Group help?