NT WorkSafe investigates alleged bullying at New Chapters, New Beginnings
NT WorkSafe is investigating three bullying complaints at a Top End disability service provider. Find out how one employee was affected.
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Investigations into alleged workplace bullying are ongoing at a major Top End NDIS service provider.
An NT WorkSafe spokesman said three workers had raised safety concerns regarding bullying at New Chapters, New Beginnings.
“NT WorkSafe inspectors commenced an enquiry to substantiate the allegations raised,” he said.
“Inspectors have referred the matter to NT WorkSafe’s investigations unit who will determine if breaches of the Northern Territory’s Work Health and Safety Laws have occurred.”
The NT WorkSafe spokesman said a number of factors could influence the length of an investigation.
He said investigations could become complex thanks to the “concurrent duties of multiple duty holders” and the level of cooperation NT WorkSafe receives when requesting information.
“It is a fundamentally important aspect of the administration of justice that NT WorkSafe approaches investigations with the highest standards of due care and attention,” he said.
“As such, an investigation may take a significant period of time to complete.”
A former New Chapters, New Beginnings HR administrator previously submitted a complaint to NT WorkSafe in November 2020.
In an NT WorkSafe individual complaint form seen by this publication, she complained of alleged abusive, insulting, or offensive commentary, unjustified criticism or complaints, set unreasonable timelines and tasks significantly below or beyond her skill level.
The employee said she had worked in office environments since she was 17 but had never experienced anything like NCNB.
“I’ve never had any mental health issues before but I had extreme anxiety,” she said.
“I was having panic attacks before going into work every day.
“I actually had to go to the emergency department because I thought I was having a heart attack, but it turned out to be a panic attack.”
In a general protections application seen by this publication, the employee wrote she saw her doctor two days after her hospital visit.
“She said that it was detrimental to my mental health to go back to work and signed me off on workers compensation,” she wrote.
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