WorkCover Tasmania today launched a statewide research project to gain a better understanding of
workplace bullying in Tasmania.
WorkCover Tasmania Board member Kevin Harkins said the research will investigate individuals’ and
organisations’ perceptions and experiences with bullying and, if required, will inform the
development of strategies to reduce the impact of bullying in the workplace.
“The Workplace Bullying Project commenced in late 2012, with the aim of developing a strategy to
address workplace bullying and initiatives to reduce the impact of bullying behaviour,” Mr Harkins
said.
“While much research has been done into workplace bullying on a national and international level,
there is little Tasmanian data, which is where the new Bullying Project research program comes into
play.
“In order to gain a better understanding of the extent of the issue in Tasmanian workplaces, the first
stage of the research will involve a statewide telephone survey of the community, followed by indepth
interviews with respondents who have experienced or witnessed what they perceive to be
workplace bullying in the past six months.
“The third stage of the research will involve a survey of Tasmanian organisations to better
understand how they have dealt with instances of bullying, explore relevant policies and procedures
and the impact bullying has on a workplace.”
Mr Harkins said bullying had a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the targeted
individuals and could result in depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, headaches, lowered selfesteem
and even suicidal thoughts.
“The negative impacts often also extend to families, with the individual withdrawing or taking out
their anger and frustration at home,” he said.
“Time off work is often then required to treat the physical and psychological effects of bullying, or
the person leaves their job, which may add financial pressure to the family, further compounding an
already difficult situation.”
Mr Harkins said the findings of the bullying research would provide the basis for a comprehensive
strategy to combat bullying and its effects on workplaces and individuals in Tasmania.
“The Tasmanian Workplace Bullying Strategy will look at defining exactly what workplace bullying is,
identifying initiatives to raise awareness that inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated,
developing management systems and building organisational capacity,” he said.
“On an individual level, the strategy will also look at early intervention methods, support
mechanisms and quality information for individuals, as well as ensuring external intervention is
readily available to resolve issues of bullying.”
The Workplace Bullying Project Team consists of representatives from the WorkCover Tasmania
Board, Workplace Standards and the Office of the Anti-Discrimination Commissioner.
WorkSafe Tasmania
