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Police urged to disclose victimisation
27 October 2004 - The Age (by John Silvester)
Thousands of police in Victoria are being asked to anonymously reveal if they have been victims of discrimination, sexual harassment or bullying, as part of a long-term plan to confront internal victimisation. An 18-page questionnaire has been sent to the homes of 3000 police and police department employees with a letter from Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon assuring participants their privacy will be protected. Under the study, the same questionnaire will be sent randomly to thousands more police over the next five years to try to track trends in workplace stress and victimisation. A previous study failed earlier this year because police contacted felt that if they responded, they could be traced and their alleged bullies would seek retribution for being identified. Police are asked if they are under-worked, over-worked, belittled or ordered to do jobs beyond their capacity. They are also asked if they have been victims of gossip, malicious emails, teasing or threats. Police Association secretary Paul Mullett said bullying allegations had been recorded in 35 police workplaces. He said bullying cost Victoria Police $25 million each year in payments for stress leave and legal costs.
Bullies force employees out of jobs
11 November 2004 (AAP)
Victims of workplace bullying were more likely to take no action or seek a new job than stand up for their rights, a researcher has found. Psychologist Toni Mellington found that not doing anything was the most common action taken by employees at a major hospital in response to bullying. She surveyed more than 200 workers at the hospital, which was not named, and 70 per cent said they had personally experienced bullying. Thirty-eight per cent of those bullied said the behaviour continued for more than six months. The most common types of bullying reported were verbal put downs, insults or sarcasm, and rude, foul or abusive language. People also said they felt bullied when their requests for help or advice were ignored, they were deliberately left out of workplace activities, or there was excessive scrutiny of their work. Health problems experienced as a result of bullying included anxiety, social dysfunction and depression. “Employees need to be aware that bullying is a serious occupational health and safety issue that can negatively affect the health of the whole workplace, not just the person being bullied," Ms Mellington said.
Another researcher, from Griffith University said this week that there was evidence of "upward bullying" or "manager bashing" of bosses by employees. Sara Branch, a researcher with the Griffith University Workplace Bullying and Violence Research Team, said employees could hold power as they were often the ones who held the knowledge, expertise and information required to carry out tasks in the workplace.
Details emerge of former Attorney General Jeff Shaw's car accident
November 11, 2004 - The Sydney Morning Herald (By Paola Totaro and Stephen Gibbs)
The Supreme Court judge Jeff Shaw was dining with another member of the judiciary, who saw him leave the city in a taxi in the hours before he crashed his car near his harbourside home. The Herald has been told that Justice Shaw, who is in a Sydney clinic being treated for alcohol-related health problems, caught a bus with the NSW Industrial Relations Commissioner, Donna McKenna, after a legal function and had dinner with her at a city restaurant on October 13. It was understood that Commissioner McKenna saw Justice Shaw enter a taxi alone after their meal. Justice Shaw was involved in a minor car accident in his Alfa Romeo in Louisa Road, Birchgrove, about 11.15pm. Witnesses said Justice Shaw asked them not to call the police or his wife. The judge told the Police Integrity Commission, in a written statement on Monday, that he had been moving his vehicle from a car space near Birchgrove Oval to a spot closer to his home. The commission announced yesterday it would begin public hearings on Monday into events arising from the accident. Witnesses, who will include Justice Shaw, were expected to begin receiving summonses last night for a hearing of at least three days. The Commissioner, Terry Griffin, will preside with Stephen Rushton, SC, as counsel assisting. The commission has been investigating the disappearance of a blood sample taken from Justice Shaw at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital on the night of his accident. Justice Shaw was provided with a second sample at the hospital, which he surrendered voluntarily to police last Friday. An analysis of the judge's blood sample was expected to be completed by the end of this week. On the night of the accident, Justice Shaw and Commissioner McKenna were among a who's who of industrial lawyers and the judiciary at a function hosted by the law firm Minter Ellison.
Jeff Shaw resigns as Supreme Court judge
12 November 2004 - The Sydney Morning Herald
NSW Supreme Court Justice Jeff Shaw has announced his resignation.
Justice Shaw, who was involved in a car accident near his Sydney home on October 13, said in a statement that his state of health meant he could no longer continue in his job. Without elaborating, he said that "certain events" had occurred yesterday which "led me to the decision that I should resign my appointment as a judge of the Supreme Court of NSW. The events of the night of 13 October 2004, and the manner in which I have dealt with this matter since that time, have made me realise and appreciate that the state of my health is more serious than I had believed and that I am now not well enough to discharge the duties of my office," Justice Shaw said. "I have asked the Governor that my resignation take effect from Friday, 12 November 2004."
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