Citation

Meloni M, Austin M. Aust. Health Rev. 2011; 35(1): 92-94.

Affiliation

Organisational Development Unit, HR, Calvary Health Care ACT, Corner of Belconnen Way and Haydon Drive, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia. Email:

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Australian Healthcare Association, Publisher Australasian Medical Publishing)

DOI

10.1071/AH10896

PMID

21367338

Abstract

This case study describes the implementation of a zero tolerance of bullying and harassment program and its outcomes in an ACT hospital. The significance of bullying and harassment within this hospital workplace and its impact became apparent in the 2005 employee satisfaction survey. The results showed low staff satisfaction, a relatively high occurrence of perceived bullying and harassment in the workplace, and a low level of trust by staff in the management of bullying and harassment issues in comparison to the health sector norms. A bullying and harassment program was therefore put in place led by the hospital's Organisational Development Unit and a zero-tolerance approach towards bullying and harassment was adopted and embraced by the leadership group. After nearly 3 years the program has had a positive impact, including contributing to an overall increase in staff satisfaction and improvements in the bullying and harassment section of the latest employee satisfaction survey. Additional initiatives have been implemented and improved employee satisfaction results are expected in 2010-11.

Language: en