Further to the Productivity Commission estimate of bullying in the workplace costing between $6 billion and $36 billion annually, the Commonwealth Government standing committee on education and employment, with support of the PM, is likely to expand Victoria’s anti-bullying “Brodie’s Law” nationally after the completion of a parliamentary review in
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiner’s (ACFE) 2012 Global Fraud Survey has again highlighted the benefits of empowering staff to be part of any anti-occupational fraud strategy. A key conclusion of the survey was… “Providing individuals a means to report suspicious activity is a critical part of an anti-fraud program. Fraud reporting mechanisms,
The Sunday Age (29 Apr 2012) reports on sexual harassment in the workplace, citing current research that “most people who say they experience sexual harassment either resign or do not make a complaint.” View Sex Harassment: many victims quit rather than speak out. The increase in the use of technology
Risk Management Magazine recently flagged the need for organisations to get their “risk management practices in order” or be subjected to ASIC direction. A second article highlighted a concern regarding company directors reassessing their desire for appointment to boards due to the personal liability risk and onerous governance regulations. STOPline
Submissions to the review of NFO governance arrangements by Treasury and the draft legislation for the controlling body, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) closed on 27 January 2012. While much discussion will take place on the legislative and regulative needs, NFP’s can already begin/continue to develop policies and
Safe Work Australia’s draft code of practice has created much discussion and concern within industry and unions. Concerns relate to the definition of bullying, the resources to implement and manage the code, and particularly, the capacity of small business to effectively apply the code. We at STOPline are aware of
Endeavours to have rewards for whistleblowing included in the Commonwealth’s Public Interest Disclosure Bill has been ruled out by Gary Gray, Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity. Although the rewards provisions of the USA False Claims Act have been successfully applied for the disclosure of public
The Federal Government has outlined its thoughts regarding a governance regime for not-for-profit bodies designed to promote transparency and accountability. The lengthy consultation paper seeks responses by January 20, 2012 at a time when resources are stretched. The governance principles cover areas such as risk management procedures including external reviews
“Most regulatory investigations are the result of whistleblower tip-offs. Ensure that you have a whistleblower hotline, and that any information provided is thoroughly investigated by suitably experienced staff.”… so say Matt Fehon and Dawna Wright in an interesting article addressing the requirements of organisations for addressing foreign regulators. The article
Toni Hoffman, Australia Day Awards Local Hero for 2006 as the nurse who exposed killer surgeon Dr Patel, is now seeking compensation for psychological and financial stress resulting from her battle with Queensland Health for support and action associated with blowing the whistle on medical malpractice at the Bundaberg Hospital.
