Contact officers are the ears of an organisation
A contact officer network is a sign of a mature organisation – one which values their people and workplace culture. Contact officers can assist in the prevention of toxic work cultures and psychosocial harm.
Having a workplace contact officer network can establish a secure and comfortable environment for employees to openly address harassment, bullying, and discrimination with a trusted individual whose primary duty is to listen to employees’ concerns.
“Contact officers are often not hired but are selected from within the organisation.“
Sebastian Harvey, facilitator, mediator and coach.
What makes our training stand out?
Using our signature Workplace Reality Theatre training method, we draw on industry and sector-specific case studies, allowing participants to respond to real-time scenarios played out by professional actors. Participants receive feedback from our expert facilitator on how to assess issues that require escalation versus those that can be resolved by providing employees with the right resources.
Designed for
For newly appointed or potential contact officers
Maximum number of participants
16
Delivered as
Face to face, Virtual.
Duration
Full day session
Course content
- Role and responsibilities of the contact officer.
- Workplace conduct Issues – discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
- Running meetings, record keeping and providing support.
- Key legal principles.
Learning outcomes
- Understand the importance of the contact officer role and the role’s responsibilities, particularly when dealing with allegations of bullying and discrimination.
- Understand the process for running meetings with employees regarding their concerns about poor conduct/behaviour in the workplace.
- Understand how to provide information to employees to help them make decisions on how best to resolve their concerns, including assessing their options and using appropriate supports.
- Understand how to act within the boundaries and limitations of the contact officer role, including exercising confidentiality, impartiality, and duty of care.
- Understand the definitions of unlawful discrimination, bullying, harassment and how they relate to employer/employee rights and responsibilities.
- Develop insight into potential strengths and areas for development as a contact officer.
- Understand the application of legal principles which underpin the contact officer role.
