Members working for Forensicare have been invited to share their views on bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace as part of an independent review of Forensicare’s workplace culture.
Members working for Forensicare have been invited to share their views on bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace as part of an independent review of Forensicare’s workplace culture.
Forensicare initiated the review after three workforce surveys revealed an ‘unacceptable’ rate of bullying, harassment – including sexual harassment – and discrimination, but a low rate of reporting.
Forensicare, which employs nurses at Thomas Embling Hospital, in prisons and in community forensic mental health services, has engaged MAPN Consulting, to conduct the review, to be led by MAPN Consulting Director, Alex Shehadie.
ANMF supports members’ participation in the review and met with members on 16 and 17 March to discuss the review’s scope.
In a 16 April newsflash ANMF advised Forensicare members that ANMF had met with the consultant to discuss the review’s terms of reference and make recommendations on preventing and addressing issues relating to bullying, harassment and discrimination.
ANMF suggested the review’s scope be broadened to include inappropriate behaviours such as incivility that may not be considered ‘bullying’ but still create a health and safety risk, and include organisational risk factors and recommendations around controls.
ANMF also suggested that Forensicare’s complaints process include both formal and informal means of complaint and escalation, and the review consider whether there is an independent and confidential complaints process.
ANMF has reminded Forensicare of its legal obligation to prevent psychological harm to staff so far as is reasonably practicable.
Members who are current or former Forensicare staff were invited to take part in the review via a confidential private interview or written submission.
Ms Shehadie is expected to complete interviews with current and former staff members by mid-May and provide a final report in the week beginning 19 July.
The review is the second review of Forensicare’s workplace culture.
