By Lema Samandar
The House Standing Committee on Education and Employment, which is undertaking a review of workplace bullying, held a hearing in Sydney on Tuesday.
Workplace coach and psychologist Keryl Egan said bullies needed to be held accountable for their behaviour as early as possible, but managers were often measured only by results, rather than the workplace culture they fostered.
“There’s a lack of courage at the top,” Ms Egan told the hearing.
“Leaders are required to have more courage about this and to confront it more.”
She said victims of bullying often didn’t have the strength to leave a toxic workplace before it damaged their self esteem.
“(The bullying is) like a dripping tap that goes between 18 months to two years,” Ms Egan said.
“By the time the person’s run out of puff, they can’t manage it any more and put in a claim – it’s too late, they’re damaged already.”
The Productivity Commission puts the total cost of workplace bullying in Australia at between $6 billion and $36 billion annually.
John Watson, general manager of WorkCover NSW’s health and safety division, said the organisation received more than 5000 calls a year about workplace bullying.
The national review follows the suicide of 19-year-old workplace bullying victim Brodie Panlock.
The death of the Victorian waitress prompted law changes that could see workplace bullies face up to 10 years’ jail in that state.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has backed a national version of this law, and the committee is expected to report by November 30 .
Source: Ninemsn.com.au
Related: Essential reading for anyone who is being bullied at work
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