Harrassment Free Workplac... - Griffith Child Care Centre

Harassment Free Workplace
POLICY
Educa&on and Care Services Na&onal Regula&ons
2011: Schedule 1
Na&onal Quality Standards/Elements: 4.2, 4.2.1, 4.2.2,
4.2.3, 7.1, 7.1.2, 7.2, 7.3.4
INTRODUCTION
Crea4ng a workplace with vision and meaningful
direc4on, consistent values and ethics will foster a
posi4ve and produc4ve work environment free from
harassment. Further, when professional standards guide
educator’s prac4ces, interac4ons and rela4onships,
children’s learning and development, safety and
wellbeing will be effec4vely supported.
The Early Years Learning Framework has as its core the
no4on of respect and wellbeing for all associated with
delivering the best outcomes for children and family.
These same no4ons apply to those who work in this
service.
GOALS -­‐ What are we going to do?
Our educa4on and care service will foster an
environment of mutual respect equity and recogni4on
of educator skills and strengths. This will be facilitated
through the service philosophy and by adhering to
the Early Childhood Code of Ethics and the Code
of Conduct Policy.
Our educa4on and care service endeavours to define
clear expecta4ons and guidelines for educators through
clear job descrip4ons, policies and procedures. Our
service will encourage feedback and open
communica4on to create understanding between
educators and management.
What are behaviours and ac&ons are we talking about?
This means that the following behaviours are
unacceptable and may be against the law. Staff
(including managers) found to have engaged in such
conduct might be counselled, warned or disciplined.
Severe or repeated breaches can lead to formal
discipline up to and including dismissal.
Bullying
Sexual Harassment
Racial or religious vilifica4on
Vic4miza4on
Gossip
STRATEGIES -­‐ How will it be done?
The philosophy of the educa4on and care service will
guide educator interac4ons and prac4ces by providing a
vision, a purpose and meaningful direc4on regarding
goals for children and families.
The Approved Provider and/or the Nominated
Supervisor will:
• Carry out an induc4on process for new
employees at the commencement of
employment. At this 4me, appropriate
behaviours will be reinforced and discussed.
• Familiarise new employees with the Code of
Conduct Policy, the Complaints and Feedback
Policy and the Early Childhood Code of Ethics.
• Inform educators that inappropriate
behaviours such as harassment and bullying
will not be tolerated.
• Encourage educators to report inappropriate
behaviours using the Complaints and Feedback
Policy.
• Address all inappropriate behaviours.
• Increase educator awareness of appropriate
interac4ons through professional development
and training.
• Encourage open discussions through educator
team mee4ngs, informal conversa4ons and at
performance appraisals to clarify each
educator’s role within our educa4on and care
service.
• Welcome construc4ve feedback. Educators will
be encouraged to express opinions and work
collabora4vely with the Nominated Supervisor
and the management of the educa4on and
care service to contribute to the success of the
service and to facilitate con4nual
improvement.
• Regularly review communica4on prac4ces
within the educa4on and care service to
ensure all educators are supported,
empowered, and acknowledged for their
contribu4ons to the team and the service.
• Treat all educators equitably.
WHS and Policy Statements – Griffith Child Care Centre Inc. 2012
Review Date - 09/08/2012

Harassment Free Workplace
POLICY
Educators will:
• Be involved in decision making with a clear
understanding of their roles and
responsibili4es as defined in their job
descrip4ons, duty lists, rosters and service
policies.
• Be valued for their contribu4ons to the
educa4on and care service program and
rou4nes.
• Be encouraged to embrace the uniqueness and
diversity of their colleagues. Skills, strengths
and opinions of team members will be
respected and supported by all educators to
create team cohesion based on respect and
professionalism.
EVALUATION
Educators and Management conduct themselves in a
professional manner according to the Early Childhood
Code of Ethics, the Code of Conduct and legisla4ve
guidelines. Inappropriate behaviours including
harassment and bullying are not tolerated by educators
or management.
Sources
• Early Childhood Australia
www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
• Australasian Legal informa4on Ins4tute
www.austlii.edu.au
• Preven4ng and Managing Bullying at Work: A
Guide for Employers
www.comcare.gov.au/
forms__and__publica4ons/ publica4ons/
safety_and_preven4on/?a=40108
• Australian Government: Comcare – Bullying
Risk Management Tool
heps://www.comcare.gov.au/__data/assets/
pdf_file/0015/70422/
Bullying_risk_management_ tool_OHS_74.pdf
Links to other policies/documents
Complaints and Feedback
Code of Conduct
Ethical Prac4ce
Online Privacy
Social Media
Statutory Legisla&on & Considera&ons
• Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act
1986
• Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics
• Fair Work Act 2009
• NSW An4-­‐Discrimina4on Act 1977
• Guide to the Na4onal Quality Standard (3) ACECQA
(2011)
• Early Years Learning Framework for Australia:
Belonging, Being and Becoming, 2009.
* This policy is based on a sample policy developed by
Community Child Care Co-­‐opera?ve (NSW).
WHS and Policy Statements – Griffith Child Care Centre Inc. 2012
Review Date - 09/08/2012