Bullying of Staff in Schools

Abstract

It seems that almost daily we see, hear or read in the media of incidents of bullying in the general workplace. For example, in 2011 Victoria introduced Brodie's Law following extensive media coverage of the suicide of a 19-year-old employee; while an ABC Radio National broadcast reported that '[a] workplace bullying claim brought by an air traffic controller is set to develop into a landmark discrimination case' in Melbourne (ABC Radio National 28 July 2011); and a news item in the press claims that the main factors leading to stress are work pressure and bullying (O'Rourke, 2011). Such is the concern for workplace bullying that Safe Work Australia released a draft Code of Practice in 2012. The Code of Practice, when drafted, will be admissible in court proceedings under the 'Work Health and Safety Act 2011' (Cwlth). However, rarely, if ever, is there a report of bullying of those who work in schools. The question may well be asked then, what is the situation in schools? ... This book draws upon our research into staff bullying in Australian schools since 2005 and offers insights derived from the findings, with special relevance to teachers and executive members of the profession in all Australian schools.