Workplace Behaviour

Advice for managing violence and

bullying in the Meat Industry

Presenter: Michael McGuren

Impact of behaviour upon the individual

• Duration of exposure • Support system available

• Age • Consequences if the
• Personality situation is not resolved
• Effects of prior traumatic • Cultural influences
experience • Community influences
• Injury or disability sustained • Resolution or outcome of
incident

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Cost of violence & bullying behaviour
Organisation Individual:

• Absenteeism • Traumatised
• Workplace incidents • Ill health/stress
• Staff turnover • Change jobs
• Low morale • Relationships at home
• Decreased productivity • Loss of self-esteem
• Complaints/grievances • Loss of trust
• Industrial problems • Reduced work capacity
• Compensation/fines • Increased risk of injury
• Poor public image

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Regulator Approach

• Often complicated and difficult issues to resolve

• Often has industrial and interpersonal aspects

• Resolution is reliant on individuals acceptance of

responsibility

• Outcomes depend on organisational health

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Investigation
• What training is there to assist managers/employees recognise
the effects on individuals?

• What procedures are in place for supporting someone who is

physically injured or emotionally distressed?

• Does the workplace have an EAP or referral process which

enables detailed assessments and treatment interventions if
required.

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Consultation = Ownership

– Use the workplace consultation mechanism to help develop

and monitor the implementation of a policy and procedures.

– A policy will commit management to the eradication of

violence and bullying.

– Recognise a ‘shared’ responsibility

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Risk Identification

- Inter-staff conflict and aggression

- unusual workers compensation claims
- Isolation/exclusion from social structure
- Low morale
- Decreased productivity
- Increased work error rate

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Risk Assessment

Assess how prevalent and serious

violent/bullying activities/actions are in the
workplace.

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Risk Control

Examine what systems and procedures

are in place to deal with unacceptable
behaviour

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Prevention Measures
• Acceptable Behaviour (Anti-Bullying) Policy
• Code of Conduct
• Regular risk assessments
• Prevention strategies
• Employee and supervisor training
• Incident reporting and investigation
• Incident follow-up
• Program evaluation

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Management Strategies
• Senior management support
• Workplace policies and written procedures
• Performance management
• Regular workplace training
• Physical environment
• Workforce characteristics
• Workplace culture
• Effective complaints system
• Designated contact person
• Strategies to support organisational health

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Where to from here ?

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