SafeWork SA executive director Michele Patterson has warned the state's businesses that bullying could result in fines of up to $600,000.
SafeWork SA executive director Michele Patterson has warned the state's businesses that bullying could result in fines of as much as $600,000.
“Employers have a legal duty to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, employees are safe from injury and risk to health while at work – which includes psychological harm from bullying," said Patterson last week.
Employees should be reminded of their duties to avoid adversely affecting a colleague’s health and safety, while employers in the state are required to investigate, document and take action when notified of bullying incidents, said Patterson.
"Failing to do so could result in a breach of the act, leaving the employer liable to penalties prescribed by section 19 of the act," she said.
SafeWork said the maximum fine for a first offence is $300,000 and $600,000 for subsequent offences.
The regulator's message followed the $355,000 fines issued to a Victorian Cafe with regards to the bullying of Brodie Panlock, which preceded her 2006 suicide.
