In mid 2018, Justice 4 Workers submitted approximately 200 pages of material to Work Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ), raising concerns about the risk management practices of the Queensland Police Service. The information highlighted the issues of workplace bullying, suicide, and psychological injuries, and the organisation's record keeping in relation to these matters. An unprecedented review was conducted by WHSQ, which was overseen by the Deputy Director General of the Office of Industrial Relations. In August 2020 I was sent the outcome of the Review, and have been given permission to share the scope of the review, as well as the recommendations that formed part of the 42 page Investigation Outcome Report (see below).
SCOPE:
The scope of the review involved the collection of material to assess whether the QPS has adequate systems in place to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that risks to health and safety arising from human behavioural hazards, generally described as ‘workplace bullying’, are being effectively managed pursuant to the Act, including:
a) the adequacy of any complaints management processes to respond to and manage workplace bullying complaints in the QPS
b) whether staff responsible for the management of workplace bullying complaints are appropriately trained and instructed about the processes to be followed
c) the adequacy of any systems used by the QPS to monitor and review the effectiveness of, and compliance with, the control measures in place to manage workplace bullying complaints
RECOMMENDATIONS:
• It is recommended that the QPS ensure that all staff performing supervisory or managerial roles undertake training in Improving Workplace Behaviours and the Management Development Program (MDP) Legal Assignment 2 (or similar available programs) and attend the Juniper information session which includes information about the key aspects of the Workplace Behaviours Policy, Inclusion and Diversity Plan for Action and the 1800SPEAK SAFE service.
• It is recommended that the QPS develop an information pack containing a summary of the various options available to a complainant to raise and address workplace bullying complaints.
• It is recommended that the WHSQ Psychological Health Unit and QAO conduct a collaborative audit prior to the conclusion of the 2021 calendar year to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the QPS control measures to minimise the risks of workplace bullying.
This Audit may include, but not limited to, aspects of the following metrics:
a. the number of workplace bullying complaints made in each calendar year.
b. a summary of action taken in response to each of these complaints, including the process used to respond, the current status if action is continuing, or the outcome if the matter has been finalised.
c. the findings of any organisational wide surveys in relation to workplace bullying.
d. copies of any Working for Queensland Survey Results for the reporting period.
e. copies of all actions plans implemented by individual work units service wide in relation workplace bullying.
f. the total percentage of staff in supervisory or managerial roles trained in the QPS systems to manage workplace bullying.
Source:
Investigation Report – Version 2.2. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland, “Review of the Queensland Police Service Systems to Manage Workplace Bullying” (July 2020). ... See MoreSee Less
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