NSW Ambulance issues paramedics sex consent rules for Christmas parties
NSW Ambulance bosses have been dubbed “the sex police” after it was revealed an email was sent round to staff ahead of Christmas parties last month.
NSW
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Heroic paramedics were given strict instructions about sexual consent ahead of Christmas parties held last month, with NSW Ambulance labelled the “sex police”.
In an email sent on December 2, Ambulance NSW’s head of people Amanda Soliman told paramedics that sexual consent could not be given if someone had a fling with their boss because “consent cannot be freely given.”
“Consent cannot be given by individuals who are intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious,” it said. “Unequal power dynamics, such as engaging in sexual activity with an employee, patient, someone junior to you or a student also means consent cannot be freely given.”
It also said venues hosting Christmas parties should stop serving alcohol to employees who breach the code of conduct.
Upper House MLC Mark Latham said management were “social control freaks”.
“The government says ambos are our heroes but Soliman talks to them like they are little kids,” he said. “The Core Values statement is used to control staff even away from the workplace. The unions are useless in not objecting to these social control freaks.”
Mr Latham questioned the “experience and qualifications” of the director regarding sexual consent, as well as the legal advice relied upon when “issuing her directives”.
“NSW Ambulance is acting like the sex police and lecturing grown adults,” he said.
“Some of the guidelines that they imposed are not legally binding, and the government should be reminded that workers have a right to a private life.
“There was quite a bit of resentment from paramedics — they are trusted to save the lives of people, but they are not trusted to follow basic guidelines without the department reminding them.”
A departmental response prepared for Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the correspondence by Ms Soliman highlighted “appropriate behaviour during workplace Christmas parties”.
“NSW Ambulance takes a proactive approach to ensuring all staff understand the obligations of the NSW Health and NSW Ambulance Code of Conduct and NSW Health Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment Values,” the department said.
“The Executive Director of People and Culture at NSW Ambulance has a wide scope role, including effective strategies to support a positive and safe workplace culture free from bullying, sexual harassment, and other forms of misconduct.
“The email covered a range of topics which were intended to remind staff of their obligations under the Code of Conduct and the CORE Values, and that these obligations extend to attendance at work-related functions including Christmas parties with colleagues.”
NSW Ambulance said: “The advice to paramedics around consent was general in nature, and not related to an incident.
“The advice was distributed at a time of year when many NSW Ambulance staff are involved in social engagements.
“NSW Ambulance is committed to creating a positive, productive and respectful workplace culture free from sexual harassment and have a number of initiatives and programs in place. “We expect all employees to uphold the Service’s values and Code of Conduct without exception.
“There are a range of support services available to all staff, and employees can confidentially report any concerns regarding sexual harassment with a dedicated Respectful Workplace Coordinator.”
University of Sydney sociologist Prof Salvatore Balbones said it was likely drinking with colleagues after work or at the annual Christmas party is likely to become an extinct pastime in the next decade.
Commenting on the NSW Ambulance revelations he said from his experience Americans found it odd that Australians would drink together at the pub after work or that alcohol would be free-flowing at Christmas parties.
“People in the US would find it very quaint and old fashioned that people would drink with their work colleagues because most people stopped doing that in the US 20 years ago,” he said.
“I would expect that Australia will follow the US in the next 10 years with an end to drinking culture in most workplaces.”
Mr Balbones said NSW Ambulance’s missive and other similar warnings issued by the private sector reflected during the festive period “the reality that if they’re going to serve intoxicants to people they have some kind of duty to them.”
The Australian Paramedics Association NSW was contacted for comment.
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