Directors Fined for Workplace Bullying

By Employment Law Bulletin (LexisNexis Butterworths)

The NSWIRC has increased fines imposed on directors for breach of s26 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW).

The increase was in the first state case and prosecution for workplace bullying. The bullying was the intimidation of an 16 year old apprentice who was restrained in plastic wrap, pushed around on a trolley and subjected to having sawdust, glue and a fire hose shoved in his mouth. The Industrial Magistrate fined the employer but Workcover subsequently appealed the leniency of the fines.

(Employment Law Bulletin vol. 9, no 9, December2004/January 2005)