(1) Western Sydney University is committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working and learning environment that is free from bullying, as required under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), New South Wales Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated regulations, standards and codes of practice. Under common law, the University also has a duty of care to provide a learning environment for students that is free from bullying. (2) This commitment recognises that each University member has a responsibility to co-operate in the creation of a University environment in which mutual respect and inclusion prevail, as well as the promotion of the health, safety and welfare of employees and students. (3) The policy applies to all members of the University community: (4) The policy also applies to any form of contact or communication that is relevant to University business activities, whether initiated in person, by telephone, online, through another person, agent or any other means. (5) Matters that arise away from the University and that have no association with the University would not normally be covered by this policy except where there is a clear impact on the University's ability to fulfil its objectives in terms of this policy. (6) For the purpose of this policy: (7) Bullying is unacceptable at Western Sydney University and any bullying behaviour by a member of the University community will not be tolerated. (8) Western Sydney University aims to: (9) Any member of the University community who experiences or witnesses bullying may use the procedures below to deal with this adverse behaviour. (10) The procedures used for dealing with bullying should follow principles of natural justice (see Guidelines). (11) The procedures for dealing with bullying are represented in a flowchart format in the Associated Information of this policy and the Bullying Prevention Guidelines. (12) Bullying behaviours may be displayed by students and employees and may be between students, between employees, and between students and employees in both directions. (13) Any employee or student who perceives that they are being bullied or observes bullying by a student or an employee, has the right to take action and make a complaint. (14) The aggrieved person is encouraged to: (15) If able to do so, the aggrieved person is encouraged to approach the bully directly and raise the matter, either face-to-face or in writing, telling the alleged bully exactly which behaviour is unreasonable and asking them to stop. (16) If the aggrieved person is unable to approach the alleged bully directly due to intimidation, the procedures below are available to deal with the matter. (17) The aggrieved person or witness of bullying is strongly encouraged to promptly report the alleged bullying behaviours to the relevant unit head. For example, if you are an employee report the behaviour to your manager or if you are a student report it to your Dean. (18) In cases where the alleged bully is the unit head, the matter should be reported to the next level of management. (19) All allegations of bullying by a student should be dealt with in accordance with the Student Misconduct Rule. (20) Once the alleged bullying behaviour has been reported, the unit head should gather evidence of the alleged behaviour and consider all the circumstances of the case before making a characterisation of the behaviour reported. (21) The unit head is encouraged to seek advice from the Office of People and Equity, Diversity and Wellbeing on the characterisation of the behaviour. (22) If the behaviour reported and the evidence gathered supports that there is a pattern of unreasonable behaviour towards an individual or a group of individuals that creates a risk to health and safety, then it is bullying. (23) The unit head must also consider the severity of the behaviour and decide whether to proceed according to the Misconduct clauses in the relevant employment agreement. Serious adverse behaviour including physical assault, violent threats, severe intimidation, etc should be dealt with according to the Misconduct provisions. (24) The unit head is to provide information to the aggrieved person on the options available to deal with the situation, including a copy of this policy and the Bullying Prevention Guidelines. (25) The unit head is to ensure that the aggrieved person completes an Accident/Injury/Incident/Hazard Form. (26) If the unit head characterises the behaviour as bullying, they should complete and submit an Accident/Injury/Incident/Hazard Notification Form (found in the Associated Information of this policy), with details of steps taken to deal with the bullying. (27) The unit head should also take immediate action to resolve the matter within their work or study unit. (28) There are several options available to the unit head to address bullying, and include: (29) The unit head should inform the aggrieved person of action taken to resolve the alleged bullying reported. (30) If the alleged bullying behaviour has not improved two weeks after it was reported, the unit head should report the alleged bullying to their HR Business Partner and the Complaints Resolution Unit. (31) The HR Business Partner will record the alleged bullying and support the unit head to resolve the matter within their work or study unit. (32) After two weeks, the Office of People will follow up with the unit head on the progress of the matter. (33) If the matter is not resolved two weeks after notification to the HR Business Partner, the Office of People will investigate the alleged bullying. (34) The Office of People should notify the aggrieved person and alleged bully of the progress being followed to investigate the matter and the relevant timeframes. (35) After investigation, the Office of People will make recommendations to the unit head on possible actions to resolve the bullying, including possible action under the misconduct provisions of the relevant employment agreement. (36) The unit head will implement the recommendations from the Office of People and provide support to both parties. (37) If the bullying has not ceased after attempting all the above options, the aggrieved person should make a formal complaint under the Complaint Management Policy procedures for a serious matter. (38) Should employees express concerns to Equity, Diversity and Wellbeing, the Office of People, or the Complaints Resolution Unit, about systemic bullying in a particular work or study unit, and evidence is available on the issue from the Office of People or the Complaints Resolution Unit, the Chief People Officer may undertake an investigation of the unit in question.Bullying Prevention Policy
Section 1 - Purpose and Context
Section 2 - Definitions
Top of Page
Section 3 - Policy Statement
Section 4 - Procedures
Procedures for Dealing with Bullying
Preliminary Actions by Aggrieved Person
Direct Informal Action by Aggrieved Person
Reporting of Bullying
If bullying is by a student
If bullying is by an employee
Response by Unit Head
Action by Unit Head
Formal Procedures
Investigation by Chief People Officer
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