Middle managers must be encouraged to appear approachable and take an interest in workers' non-work-related difficulties, to foster supportive environments and reduce psychosocial risks, a new EU-OSHA campaign brief says.
A law firm is urging employers to ensure their treatment of alleged bullies is "consistent throughout the workplace", after BHP Coal was fined $60,000 for taking adverse action against two union delegates.
Endeavour Energy's renewed push to replace oral swabbing with urine tests - as part of its drug and alcohol policy - has been rejected by the Fair Work Commission, despite a national association's recent decision to suspend accreditation of workplace saliva tests.
Anti-bullying applications slow so far; SWA releases new Codes, guides and "body sizing" report; Comcare prosecuting employer over road death; and Fatality report and safety alerts issued.
Employers should tackle "workaholism" - which can affect a worker's wellbeing and lead to high absence rates - using primary, secondary and tertiary-level interventions, Italian researchers say.
A Tribunal has highlighted the importance of encouraging workers to speak up - without fear of reprisal - if they believe they're being s-xually harassed, in ordering a man to pay a former colleague with psychiatric injuries more than $100,000 in damages.
A school principal subjected a worker - with a long history of depression - to "oppressive" disciplinary action after he was accused of minor conduct breaches, contributing to the man's suicide, the Queensland Coroner has found.
FWC launches dedicated anti-bullying webpage; New mine safety regulations taking effect in South Australia; Comcare prosecuting Linfox; SWA releases WHS guide on water jetting; and Alerts issued after child killed and other incidents.
Cyberbullying is becoming more prevalent, and it is increasingly important for employers to ensure they have clear and simple cyber-safety policies that are linked to WHS and anti-discrimination laws, says cyberbullying expert Susan McLean.
