Queensland Health Reporting Concerns Portal

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Queensland Health Staff: Reporting Concerns Portal

Overview/Definitions

The Workplace Investigations Unit

Following the recommendations of the Relationship Interest Based Bargaining (RIBB) group strategic paper [Workplace Bullying and Harassment, November 2005], the Director General established the Workplace Investigations Unit (WIU).

The WIU is an independent unit in Queensland Health which has been specifically set up to deal with workplace bullying and harassment.

The role of the WIU is to:

• Develop and promote strategies to ensure Queensland Health is harassment free
• Assist Queensland Health managers and staff to resolve conflict at the local level in an informal and timely way; and
• Manage formal grievances regarding workplace bullying and harassment that cannot be resolved at the local level.

The Workplace Investigations Unit reports directly to the Director-General and is currently managed on a day-to-day basis by the Executive Director, Corporate Services.

Overview of Bullying and Harassment

Queensland Health has a ZERO tolerance policy to harassment.
 
Queensland Health defines 'Workplace Harassment' in accordance with the definition provided in the Prevention of Workplace Harassment Code of Practice 2004 as:
 
'A person is subjected to workplace harassment if the person is subjected to repeated behaviour, other than behaviour amounting to sexual harassment, by a person, including the person's employer or a co-worker or a group of co-workers of the person that is:

• unwelcome and unsolicited
• that the person considers to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening; and
• a reasonable person would consider to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening.

However, it is important to note that 'workplace harassment' does not include reasonable management action taken in a reasonable way by the person's employer in connection with the person's employment.'
 
It is also important to note that the behaviour must be repeated to constitute workplace harassment.  A one-off incident is therefore unlikely to constitute workplace harassment.  
 
For further information refer to: HR Policy E3 Assault in the Workplace (30kb PDF)

Process for Lodging a Complaint

What to do if you feel bullied or harassed

• Speak with someone confidentially. You can talk to your supervisor, local HR office, a Workplace Equity and Harassment Officer (WEHO)  (Staff Access Only) or your union.
• It is best to address your issue informally at the local level in the first instance. Approach your supervisor and talk to them about your concerns. Although not necessary, you may want to put your concerns in writing. At this point your supervisor may need to seek advice from HR, local management or the Workplace Investigations Unit (WIU) about the best way to address the issue.
• If your supervisor is unable to resolve the matter, a more senior manager will become involved. At this stage you may be offered mediation or facilitation.
• If informal processes cannot resolve your concerns, you can choose to lodge a formal grievance.  This process is in the Queensland Health grievance policy HR Policy E12 Grievance Resolution. 
• At this stage the District CEO, or equivalent, will present the allegations made in your grievance to the people you have complained about to allow them to respond. The District CEO will make a decision about whether or not the responses resolve the issue.
• If the matter cannot be resolved or an investigation is needed, the District CEO will refer the complaint to the WIU.

For more information on the grievance process, please look at our brochure Stamping out workplace harassment. (968KB PDF)

Checklist for managing bullying / harassment grievances

Please note: The following is an outline of the grievance process. This is not a new procedure. Any questions should be forwarded to workplace_services@health.qld.gov.au

Review and Appeals Options

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your grievance, you may appeal the matter to the Public Service Commission or the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.  For more information on appeal options, please refer to HR Policy E12 Grievance Resolution (256kb PDF) or following links Public Service Commission, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

Useful Links

Contact Details

Phone: (07) 3235 9455 (24 hours)
Fax:     (07) 3234 0314
Email:  workplace_services@health.qld.gov.au

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