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Higher Education
CPSU targets bullying at universities
02 April 2002
As part of an ongoing campaign to target the problem of workplace bullying and harassment, the CPSU recently conducted a survey of Sydney University Staff to investigate evidence that suggested such behaviour was on the increase.
Workplace bullying is a serious occupational health and safety issue that can lead to range of health problems - particularly stress related illness and depression.
Bullying behaviour includes:
· Unreasonable demands or impossible targets
· Restrictive or petty work rules
· Being required to perform tasks without adequate training
· Being forced to stay back to finish work or additional tasks
· Compulsory overtime, unfair rostering or allocation of work
· The expectation that staff will work extra hours without recompense
· Constant intrusive surveillance or monitoring
· No say in how the job is to be done
· Interference with personal belongings or sabotage of work
· Shouting or abusive language
· Open or implied threat of the sack or demotion
Results of the Sydney University survey indicate that:
· Approximately 60% of respondents have experienced bullying in the workplace.
· Not surprisingly, the main perpetrator of bullying behaviour tended to be a manager or supervisor (61.5%). 30.7% of bullying behavior came from academics and 25% from students. The remaining percentage of bullying behavior was attributed to "co-workers".
· The most common form of intimidating behaviour was verbal abuse (shouting, ordering, belittling) (72%), with 23% of respondents experiencing both verbal and physical abuse.
· And in cases where bullying had been reported, most respondents felt that the action taken by management was largely unsatisfactory (65%). Although non-union members reported being more dissatisfied than union members.
The survey only confirms what the union was hearing from its members, and is very concerned at the high levels of bullying behaviour that is being experienced by general staff at the University.
The CPSU has in the past raised its concerns with the University management about the high levels of bullying, and will continue to push the University to adequately address and reduce high incidences of bullying that already occur.
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