Campaspe Shire Council committed to a zero-tolerance harassment policy to protect staff following a shocking number of incidents over the past 12 months.
At the June 17 council meeting, councillors voted unanimously to issue a written statement to council platforms stating their stance on zero-tolerance of harassment towards staff, volunteers, councillors and their family members in any form.
The statement reads as follows:
“Council is committed to creating a safe, productive and healthy environment for all employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors and Councillors. Council will not tolerate any form of physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or psychological abuse, violence, harassment, intimidation, bullying, derogatory remarks, or offensive emails.
Council acknowledges and extends its zero-tolerance stance to the families of our employees, volunteers, contractors and Councillors, ensuring their protection from any form of abuse or harassment. This includes, but is not limited to, approaching Council employees, their families, councillors, contractors or volunteers with the intent to intimidate, harass, cause distress or attempt to influence Council matters.”
The motion was moved by Cr Zoe Cook who said it was one of the ways the council was trying to support its staff by protecting them from abuse.
“It’s an unfortunate trend that we’re seeing where people on the front line are facing… not just councils but in hospitality, retail are facing more and more verbal or physical abuse,” she said.
“One of the things that we can do, as council are now doing, is putting out this statement and policy to back our people… and say this is not acceptable.”
Cr Rob Amos shared statistics about the 62 incidents of harassment endured by council staff and volunteers: 45 verbal abuse incidents, 15 harassment incidents and two occupational violence incidents.
He agreed with the notion to issue a statement and enact a policy, however highlighted that “it was a two-way street” and council needs to make sure its staff are interacting appropriately with community members also.
The motion passed unanimously, and the statement was issued on Campaspe Shire’s website and Facebook page.