Ministers are requested to bring this Memorandum to the attention of all public sector agencies within their portfolios.

The NSW Government is committed to achieving and maintaining workplaces which are free from workplace bullying. All employees should expect that any grievance or complaint lodged in relation to bullying will be dealt with fairly, confidentially and managed in a timely and effective manner.

The Dignity and Respect: Policy and Guidelines on Preventing and Managing Workplace Bullying  provides an overarching framework to enable agencies to review and develop their policies to eliminate workplace bullying.

The Policy and Guidelines require agencies to consider bullying in the context of managing and assessing occupational health and safety risks and to adapt existing grievance handling systems to address any complaints. The Policy and Guidelines have been developed in consultation with public sector agencies and unions.

Anti-bullying training is an important element of the risk management approach. Agencies should take active steps to ensure appropriate training of staff is undertaken as part of implementing the Policy and Guidelines. Unions NSW have received funding through the WorkCover Assist Funding Scheme to develop training resources in this area which will be offered to agencies.

The Dignity and Respect in the Workplace Charter  originally developed by Unions NSW has been revised to include the key principles of the Policy and Guidelines. It is recommended that the Charter be endorsed by agency Occupational Health and Safety Committees and/or Joint Consultative Committees as part of implementing the Policy and Guidelines.

A copy of the Policy and Guidelines and charter is enclosed. They can also be accessed from the NSW Premier's Department web site 
 
All NSW public sector organisations including those in the Government Service, and any other public sector service within the meaning of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 are required to apply the Policy and Guidelines. State Owned Corporations are strongly encouraged to apply the Policy and Guidelines. 

Morris Iemma MP
Premier  

Issued : Workforce Policy and Advice (Public Employment Office)
Contact: Kerrie Stokes and Megan Irwin- Moyle Senior Advisors Workforce Planning, Development and Equity
EMail: [email protected] [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3526 and 92283023 Facsimile: 9228 4056
File no: psm/05695-010

This Memorandum has not superseded any other Memoranda, and complements Memorandum No. 96-11