Horror rise in Vic education sector bullying claims: See what age groups and sectors make most claims

Staff aged over 50 in Victoria’s education and hospitality sectors are now the most bullied on the job, as construction workers over 35 also cop it hard.

Staff aged over 50 in Victoria’s education and hospitality sectors are now the most bullied at work.

Construction industry tradies aged 35 to 39 are another group copping it hard on worksites.

WorkSafe data provided exclusively to the Herald Sun reveals claims for possible bullying and harassment in the state’s education and training sector have soared from 63 in 2012-13 to 197 last financial year.

For all periods, the most claims were lodged by those aged between 50 to 54, or 45 to 49.

Older workers are the most bullied. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Bullying claims by teachers have soared. Picture: Supplied

The state’s construction and hospitality sectors have also seen growing numbers of bullying and harassment claims lodged with the workplace regulator over the past ten years — again with most claims made by older workers, not by young members of Gen Z.

Generation Z refers to people born between 1997 and 2012 (18 to 26-years-old) while Millennials are those born between 1981 and 1996 (27 to 42-years-old) and Generation X refers to people born between 1965 and 1980 (43 to 58-years-old).

A WorkSafe spokesman said·the increase in workplace mental injury claims being lodged — including those related to possible bullying — reflected a wider upwards trend across society, due to a growing focus on mental health.

“Employers must take every reasonably practicable step to protect workers from risks to both their physical and mental health, including risks associated with workplace bullying,” he said.

“Victorian workers who sustain an injury or illness in the course of their employment may be entitled to make a claim for workers compensation, which could include weekly income support and reasonable medical and like expenses.”

For the last decade the most education and training claims have come from older workers. Picture: Supplied

It comes as a Geelong private school has been accused of “ramping up” efforts to dismiss a long-serving teacher amid a bullying furore.

Concerned Christian College Geelong parents contacted the Herald Sun in late July claiming there were moves afoot “to organise a parent body in support of dismissing Pam McKeeman from the college”, after she had alleged bullying.

One parent — who sang the praises of Ms McKeeman as a compassionate and skilled teacher — said people had been “afraid to speak publicly before now for fear of consequences against them and their children”.

“(But) it seems that efforts to dismiss Pam McKeeman may have been ramped up by the college,” they said.

Another parent told the Herald Sun there had been “a dreadful change in the tone and atmosphere of the school” and the staff environment had become “toxic”, since Ms McKeeman had not been at the school.

Staff were also fearful to speak out about the school culture out of fear “they might be subjected to the bullying that they have seen others subjected to in recent years”, the parent said.

Ms McKeeman, head of the school’s Bellarine campus, said she had been on “forced leave” from her position for eight months while “allegations of serious misconduct were investigated against me”.

Teacher Pam McKeeman. Picture: Supplied

Christian College Geelong principal Glen McKeeman.

Ms McKeeman said she had endured “six years of ubiquitous bullying and harassment” at her workplace.

Ms McKeeman’s husband Glen, the school’s principal, has also been on leave.

The embattled school has moved to reassure parents it takes concerns about workplace misconduct seriously, amid multiple allegations of bullying and harassment.

Christian College has been contacted for comment regarding the latest claims.

WorkSafe bullying data for Victoria’s education sector:

For the 2022-23 financial year, WorkSafe has accepted 197 claims for possible bullying from, with the most common age group 50-54.

In 2017-18 it accepted 77 claims, with the most common age group 45-49.

In 2012-13 it accepted 63 claims, with the most common age group 50-54.

WorkSafe bullying data for Victoria’s construction industry:

For the 2022-23 financial year, WorkSafe has accepted 49 claims for possible bullying, with the most common age group 35-39.

In 2017-18 it accepted 31 claims, with the most common age group 50-54.

In 2012-13 it accepted 15 claims, with the most common age group 35-39.

WorkSafe bullying data for Victoria’s hospitality industry

For the 2022-23 financial year, WorkSafe has accepted 44 claims for possible bullying, with the most common age group 50-54.

In 2017-18 it accepted 19 claims, with the most common age groups 25-29 and 45-49.

In 2012-13 it accepted 20 claims for possible bullying, with the most common age group 50-54.