Comcare - Australian Goverment
Comcare - Australian Goverment
Putting you first at the centre of what we do. Keeping you healthy and safe at work. Supporting you when you are harmed at work. Ensuring your scheme works and is sustainable.

Comcare's workplace bullying campaign

Comcare wants all working Australians to know how important it is to prevent bullying in the workplace. Health, safety and well being are vital concerns of working people, their families and communities. Bullying-campaign-logo

Workplace bullying is a major concern across the federal jurisdiction. However, if bullying is identified and dealt with early the situation can often be resolved successfully and prevented from becoming established behaviour and a risk to health and safety.

We encourage everyone to get involved by using the site and download the resources and guidance material which will assist in preventing bullying in your workplace.

What is Bullying?

Repeated behaviour that could reasonably be considered to be humiliating, intimidating, threatening or demeaning to a person, or group of persons, and which therefore creates a risk to health and safety.

What is not Bullying?

Performance management or other legitimate management action conducted in an appropriate manner.

What can managers do?

  • ensure bullying complaints are taken seriously and investigated properly as with any other workplace health and safety issue
  • apply procedural fairness* in all of your dealings with those accused or implicated
  • foster a supportive environment
  • be clear about your work expectations
  • role model desired behaviours
  • provide constructive feedback and recognition

What can workers do?

  • be aware of your organisations policies and procedures
  • ensure your own behaviour does not contribute to bullying
  • talk to someone you trust
  • use your organisational support frameworks
  • remain calm and record events
  • don’t be a silent witness to workplace bullying

Workers should discuss their concerns with their line manager, worker contact officer, employee assistance program provider or their health and safety representative.

Remember that workplace bullying:

  • creates a risk to health and safety
  • is managed the same as any other workplace hazard
  • may be a notifiable incident to Comcare

(*) Procedural fairness encompasses notions of right of reply to allegations and decision makers acting without bias based on logical proof or evidence.