Skills Institute

Friday, 28 October 2011 - 3:26pm

With workplace bullying in Tasmania on the rise, the Skills Institute today highlighted the seriousness of bullying and harassment in the workplace, addressing employers and managers from around the State as part of WorkSafe Tasmania Month.

WorkCover Tasmania statistics released today reveal a rapid increase in the rate of workplace bullying and anti-social behaviour in the last five years, with 95 reported injuries caused by bullying and harassment in 2010, up by 52 incidents in 2006.

Skills Institute Workplace Conflict Consultant Caroline Dean, who presented to delegates today, said 85 per cent of Australians had either witnessed or experienced bullying in the workplace – a figure in dire need of addressing.

“Victims of workplace bullying can experience negative effects to their health and wellbeing, with many people suffering psychological issues such as depression, stress or anxiety, as well as exhaustion and even physical illness,” Ms Dean said.

Ms Dean also highlighted the negative effects workplace bullying could have on an organisation’s culture and public image.

“No one likes to work in a negative environment that tolerates that sort of behaviour, and the public’s perception of a company or organisation can be severely damaged if it is allowed to occur,” she said.

“Negative behaviour creates and fosters a negative workplace culture, and employers and managers have a duty to stamp out this behaviour before it occurs.”

Caroline Dean is an experienced workplace trainer and consultant for the Skills Institute, with a background in criminal justice sociology. She specialises in implementing positive cultural change by finding solutions to bullying, harassment and conflict in the workplace.