THHS anti- bullying bill hitting $ 600k
TOWNSVILLE Hospital and Health Service has spent about $ 600,000 on managing workplace bullying and harassment since hiring independent assessors last year.
Consultant firm Ashdale, which was engaged by THHS to investigate a raft of allegations revealed by the Bulletin last October, is still working through complaints and determining any action to be taken.
Three staff have been stood down with pay since the inves- tigation began, with an external probe into workplace bullying at Charters Towers Community Mental Health also starting in recent months.
Two of the staff remain suspended while the other has been moved to an alternative role at a “different workplace”.
Between April and June this year, 13 new complaints were made to THHS.
THHS board chairman Tony Mooney said the role change for the one suspended staff member had come after negotiation to ensure that it was an “appropriate and safe environment for all concerned”.
“No further staff members have been stood down due to bullying or harassment complaints,” he said. “The board remains committed to support programs that build towards a service in line with the health service’s core values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and engagement.”
Mr Mooney said the THHS 2017- 18 budget had allocated resources to continue the antibullying program, with about $ 600,000 already spent. “Recommendations made by Ashdale will help inform what actions are taken,” he said.
The Bulletin reported last October that a number of THHS employees had been driven to contemplate suicide due to a “toxic” workplace environment. Since then, more than 35 people have anonymously contacted the Bulletin.
Together Union Townsville organiser Norm Jacobsen said staff were still feeling frustrated about the workplace.
“The staff have no confi- dence in the system,” he said. “They are raising a lot of concern around it.”
Mr Jacobsen said some staff did not know what to do or where to turn.
“It ( bullying) is just as rife as it was last year,” he said.
“The issue is that some people are too scared to speak out, they feel targeted.
“I don’t think this investigation is doing much.”
Mr Jacobsen said he had raised his concerns with THHS management.
“A lot of people are withdrawing their complaints because they’re scared and they’re scared of further repercussions,” he said. “It’s toxic.”