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It wasn't unreasonable for an "insulted and incensed" colleague to refuse to speak to an employee, a commission has found in stop-bullying proceedings.

The colleague felt uncomfortable around the employee, "and not without good reason", NSW Industrial Relations Commissioner Daniel O'Sullivan accepted.

In such circumstances, he said, "not speaking to someone may be eminently reasonable".

The employee – a patient support assistant with the Central Coast Local Health District – sought stop-bullying orders against the colleague in May this year, alleging she had: refused to speak to him in a professional or social capacity following a "confrontation" in February 2025; tried to coerce other staff members into writing false, negative statements about him...