HR & Workplace Relations
‘Big Four’ bank offers paid domestic violence leave
‘Big Four’ bank offers paid domestic violence leave 11 June 2013 In a dramatic move, staff at one of the Big Four banks will now be entitled to unlimited paid…
Read MoreConsidering the impact of proposed workplace bullying reforms
As Federal politicians consider reforms to Australia’s workplace bullying laws, Victoria’s workplace safety authority WorkSafe has revealed that over 6000 people contacted them about bullying, but only 5% of these…
Read MoreBullying or performance management? The finest of lines
In many cases around workplace bullying a common thread is apparent– that there is a fine, difficult to distinguish line between performance management and bullying. What might seem reasonable and…
Read MoreBullying and the Workplace FAQs
1. What is workplace bullying? Each State and Territory has its own definition or legislation regarding workplace bullying. When proven, workplace bullying constitutes a breach of the relevant State Workplace…
Read MoreCreative differences: Ad exec awarded $300k in damages
Creative differences: Ad exec awarded $300k in damages A very public two-and-a-half-year stoush involving a prominent Australian advertising agency drew to a close this week, with the aggrieved executive creative…
Read More“Leaning In” – should talented women press their claims at work more strongly?
“Leaning In” – should talented women press their claims at work more strongly? The statistics for female representation at the top levels of corporate Australia reveal interesting anomalies. While women…
Read MoreFor whom the Bell tolls: is the Bell Curve an appropriate way to rank team performance?
For whom the Bell tolls: is “stack ranking” or the Bell Curve useful to measure performance? Performance review time is often a stressful one, for those doing the assessing as…
Read MoreBashing the boss – the rise of upwards bullying
When we first think of bullying we tend to automatically think of downward bullying. This is the situation where a manager/supervisor or a more senior worker, bullies and/or harasses junior…
Read MoreThe ‘no jerks rule’. Does it improve corporate performance?
The ‘no jerks rule’: does it improve corporate performance? While it is difficult to know how many organisations have a “no jerks policy”, the idea has certainly taken off.
Read MoreWhat is your training deficit costing you: $28,000, $300,000 or more?
What is your training deficit costing you: $28,000, $300,000 or more? Every week, iHR Australia comments on workplace issues and many of the items we are seeing in the news…
Read MoreTackling bullying a work-in-progress for Victorian Government
Tackling bullying a work-in-progress for Victorian Government Combating workplace bullying remains a key priority for Victorian State Government, according to a new report from the State Services Authority.
Read MoreHarassed police officers receive $1.25 million settlement
Harassed police officers receive $1.25 million settlement Two LAPD officers have received a $1.25 million settlement after filing a lawsuit against the Los Angeles City Council.
Read MoreAcademic sacked for spending grants on massages could receive compensation payout
Academic sacked for spending grants on massages could receive compensation payout A university professor who used research grants to pay for reflexology treatment, massages, wine, cosmetics, tourist attraction tickets and…
Read MoreFrivolous or ignorant? Bogus bullying claims on the rise
Yesterday, the Age reported a rise in workplace bullying claims putting small businesses under pressure and leading to time and money wasted investigating frivolous claims. Whilst raising awareness of bullying…
Read MoreTough boss or big bully? Part 3
In this final part in our series on real-life bullying experiences, we share another story from a reader who experienced bullying – with an unfortunate outcome. (All these stories have…
Read MoreFlexibility, but for whom? Federal Government pushes envelope on employee flexibility but what about employers?
Flexibility, but for whom; Federal Government pushes envelope on employee flexibility but what about employers? Workplace flexibility is a concept that most agree with but one must first ask “for…
Read MoreTough boss or big bully? Part 2
What does it feel like to be bullied at work? In part two of our series on real-life bullying experiences, we share another story from a reader. (All these stories…
Read MoreTough boss or big bully? Part 1
You hear a lot about workplace bullying and its cost to businesses, but it can be hard to get a real sense of what it’s like and what impact it…
Read MoreBully boys or nanny staters – does the draft Bullying Code of Practice make the workplace unworkable?
Bullying behaviour costs billions of dollars per year and the effect on individuals who are targeted by bullies can be devastating, however the draft Code of Practice introduces the concept…
Read MoreWorkplace Bullying: “We just want it to stop”
The House Standing Committee on Education and Employment as part of the House of Representatives inquiry into Workplace Bullying has tabled on 26 November 2012 a report titled, Workplace Bullying:…
Read MoreVexatious Bullying Complaints are Workplace Harassment
Written by Stephen Bell, Managing Director, iHR Australia. Relevant workplace legislation has upped the ‘ante’ on the consequences of workplace bullying. In Victoria, politicians rightfully agreed that workplace bullying…
Read MoreSarcasm is the lowest form of wit…. but is it bullying?
The debate continues: when does a “robust” style of supervision become bullying? A Queensland supervisor’s occasional “unprofessional and inappropriate” communication style did not amount to workplace bullying and harassment, Fair…
Read MoreNowhere to hide – national anti-bullying laws take another step
The harmonisation of WHS legislation throughout Australia is affecting definitions and requirements for the handling of bullying and harassment complaints. A number of jurisdictions have now developed Codes of Practice for…
Read More3 top tips for managing workplace bullying
A brief look at recent case law involving workplace bullying makes it clear that it’s a serious issue for all employers. A well developed anti-bullying policy is essential, to define…
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