An employer that failed to take timely action in response to bullying and harassment complaints against a director has been ordered to pay her $1.5 million in damages.
An employer victimised an employee after she made a sexual harassment claim against her manager by preventing her from returning to the workplace once its investigation was complete, a tribunal has found.
Having a workplace bullying policy is akin to putting up a wet floor sign, according to a psychologist, whose research shows having a policy doesn't remove the risks that enable bullying to occur in the first place.
In three new cases from the anti-bullying jurisdiction, an employer has avoided an order but been told to acknowledge bullying occurred; interim orders have been made to prevent a dispute escalating; and a board chair's stop-bullying claim has been dismissed after his failed re-election bid.
Mediation following s-xual harassment complaints might be necessary to ensure employees understand appropriate behaviour and communication in the workplace, but it can be risky to force parties to be involved, an investigations specialist warns.
An HR manager's decision to dismiss an employee who couldn't perform the inherent requirements of her role was reasonable, despite some "regrettable" lapses in process, the Fair Work Commission has ruled.
An employee who was described as not the "archetypal victim of s-xual harassment" has been awarded $150k in damages, after a tribunal found he was humiliated and suffered psychological injuries when he had to clean up a staged "s-x romp".
An employee whose friendship with a colleague broke down while they were on a holiday together, resulting in numerous workplace confrontations when they returned, has been awarded workers' compensation for a psychiatric injury.
Two new reports shine a light on the prevalence of workplace bullying, the work climates that foster it, and its impact on absenteeism and productivity.
All employers should consider putting in place a workplace s-xual harassment prevention plan, even though such plans are only expressly prescribed in one jurisdiction, according to a risk management expert.
Recent events have shone a spotlight on whistleblowing, placing employers firmly on notice that their response to a protected disclosure could be subject to intense scrutiny. Watch this webcast to understand the role HR plays in this challenging space.
