Parliamentary report tackles workplace bullying

beyondblue has welcomed the release of a parliamentary report into workplace bullying in Australia.

beyondblue CEO Kate Carnell AO said the Standing Committee on Education and Employment’s report, which contains numerous recommendations for the Commonwealth government to consider, paved the way for more mentally healthy workplaces across the country.

“The findings of this report reveal there is still a lot the Commonwealth Government can do to reduce workplace bullying in Australia significantly and to improve outcomes for victims,” she said.

“We encourage the government and Australian workplaces to consider the report seriously and to ask what they can do to reduce workplace bullying.

“There are many existing resources available to help guide them as they consider the issue.

“An important factor in developing a mentally healthy workplace is to eliminate any form of bullying. Bullying of any kind is unacceptable.

“Not only does workplace bullying hurt the victims, but workplaces suffer too through lost productivity, and increased absenteeism.”

Carnell said she wanted to commend Damien and Rae Panlock who have campaigned for tough workplace bullying laws since their daughter Brodie took her life in 2006 after being bullied at her Melbourne workplace.

“One only needs to look at the tragic case of Brodie Panlock and the suffering that her death has caused her family to know how devastating workplace bullying can be.”

To learn more about mentally healthy workplaces, visit the beyondblue website.