RAILCORP HAS defended itself against bullying claims, after a recent internal staff survey revealed widespread sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying among staff
RAILCORP HAS defended itself against bullying claims, after a recent internal staff survey revealed widespread sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying among staff.
The survey revealed that up to one in four employees have experienced bullying in the past five years.
Only 13.5 per cent of RailCorp staff responded to the survey, which was mailed to their home addresses, with up to 25 per cent reporting harassment, unrealistic work performance pressure, humiliation, demoralising behaviour, and unfair treatment or offensive behaviour.
RailCorp CEO Vince Graham denied the results were being swept under the carpet, as they were published in a staff magazine, and said RailCorp was committed to addressing workplace bullying.
“RailCorp conducted the survey so that this issue could be brought to the fore and addressed directly,” Graham said in a statement.
“There is a review of all policies and procedures underway to improve the way in which the organisation deals with these issues, and the new code of conduct sends a clear message to all staff that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.”
It is estimated that only 10 per cent of the Australian railway workforce is female, and at a 2004 Women’s Conference held by the rail union, RailCorp’s HR manager flagged bullying as a key issue for the future.
NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam called for an immediate independent inquiry to address the culture of harassment in RailCorp.
He said the public need to be assured that RailCorp is dealing with any allegation of harassment or misconduct in a timely and transparent manner.
