Respectful Workplaces

Overview

Respectful workplaces don't just happen, they are built through the values staff hold and the way staff behave towards each other every day.

The department is committed to safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces, where staff are valued and feel supported to speak up.

The department's Respectful Workplaces program aims to create lasting behaviour change by increasing staff awareness, understanding, capability and confidence in building and maintaining respectful workplaces.

The program brings together and focuses on the department's Values and Code of Conduct, diversity and inclusion, equal opportunity, human rights, and workplace bullying.

Please refer to the Policy and Guidelines tab for further information.

Related topics

• Code of Conduct
• Complaints – Information for Employees
• Complaints, Misconduct and Unsatisfactory Performance – Teaching Service
• Values – Department and VPS Values for School Employees
• Inclusive Workplaces
• Employee Wellbeing Support Services
• Equal Opportunity – Employees
• Family Violence – Information for Employees
• Flexible Work
• Further expert health, safety and wellbeing supports
• Human Rights Charter
• Mental Health and Wellbeing – Employees
• Performance and Development for Principal Class Employees
• Performance and Development for Teacher Class Employees
• Performance and Development for Education Support Class Employees
• Sexual Harassment – Employees
• Workplace Bullying
• Workplace Contact Officer Network

Relevant legislation

• Delegations
• Industrial Agreements
• Industrial Awards
• Legislation – Employment Topics
• Ministerial Orders – Employment

Policy and Guidelines

Our rights and responsibilities

All staff have a right to a workplace free from bullying, harassment and discrimination. All staff have a responsibility to ensure that their own behaviour contributes to a respectful work environment for everyone.

To build and maintain a respectful workplace, staff are responsible for always:

• treating each other with respect and consideration
• being inclusive, valuing others and accepting their differences
• recognising the efforts and achievements of others
• considering our impact on others
• calling out and addressing behaviour that can lead to bullying, harassment and discrimination

In addition, managers or principals are responsible for setting clear expectations of respectful behaviour and responding to ideas, concerns, complaints and feedback with empathy, fairness, dignity and respect.

eLearning and resources

A Respectful and Inclusive Workplaces training module must be completed by all department staff. An additional training module also must be completed by school leaders and managers. The link to these training modules can be found on the Resources tab.

Reporting and advice

To report bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation or seek support, employees can speak with their manager. If an employee does not feel comfortable speaking with their manager, they can approach their manager's manager or seek advice from the Conduct and Integrity Division on 03 7034 6768 or by email at employee.conduct@education.vic.gov.au

For more information about reporting and advice, refer to the Related topics section in the Overview tab.

Internal support

You can seek support at any time, including during or following an internal complaints process.

Workplace Contact Officers (WCOs) are a good point of contact for staff who experience, or would like information about, harassment, discrimination, bullying, victimisation or family violence. The WCO network is a group of Department staff who have volunteered and been trained to provide colleagues with information and guidance about Departmental policies, processes and principles, and advice about who is best to talk to in a particular situation.

Employees can contact any WCO in the network for a confidential discussion.

For more information about WCOs, refer to the Related topics in the Overview tab.

External support

Employee Wellbeing Support Services provide free and confidential advice to proactively support the wellbeing of eligible department staff. Converge is the department’s external provider of the Employee Wellbeing Support Services.

Staff can make appointments to receive tailored support across 8 different service streams and 6 specialist helplines. Immediate family members aged 18 years and over can access the Family Assist stream.

To access the services and make an appointment, call 1300 291 071 or book online via the Converge portal or mobile phone app (PDF), entering the organisational code mywellbeing.

Further information is available in the Employee Wellbeing Support Services guidance chapter of the Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Management in Schools policy.

Resources

• Respectful and inclusive workplaces – all staff eLearn (staff login required) or search LearnED to find course and enrol
• Respectful and inclusive workplaces – leaders and managers eLearn (staff login required) or search LearnED to find course and enrol
• Handling Difficult Conversations (DOCX) – tip sheet
• Handling Difficult Conversations (PDF) – tip sheet
• Learning and Development
• Inclusive Workplaces

Useful links

• LGBTIQA+ inclusive language guide
• Diversity Council Australia — Words at Work
• VPSC Information, tools and resources for people managers