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The Real Cost of Workplace Bullying & Harassment |
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Workplace harassment can cost your company - did you know 62% of people have been bullied in the workplace?
A survey released recently by CareerOne.com.au found 62% of all respondents had been bullied in the workplace and 29% had been the victim of some form of sexual harassment. More than 70% of incidents were perpetrated by a more senior employee, with the majority of victims not reporting the incident.
Harassment of any type must not be ignored. It is an employer’s responsibility to ensure the workplace is free of such behaviours.
In a recent case, in June 2009, an Adelaide woman secured one of the largest payouts for sexual harassment in Australia, after suing her former employer in the Federal Court.
A male colleague had sent emails and a number of text messages inviting a sexual relationship. A second male colleague had sent a sexually explicit image by SMS to the female employee, who was dismissed ‘ostensibly' for poor performance.
She was awarded damages of $466,000 (largest known award of damages) comprising:
- $90,000 for pain and suffering
- $200,000 for past lost earning capacity
- $140,000 for future lost earning capacity
- $3,000 for interest
Apart from the direct legal expenses and damages awarded, the hidden costs are likely to significantly outweigh these.
Workplace harassment can cost your company through increased employee turnover, increased sick leave, increases in workers’ compensation claims for stress, reduced performance and morale. Reduced morale can lead to a loss of staff loyalty and reduced customer relationship standards severely affecting your business. In workplaces where bullying and harassment occur, business productivity and innovation is stifled.
Your HRmanager can develop and tailor a workshop for your business on “keeping a harassment free workplace.” Contact us on 02 94153561 to discuss.
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