Harsh Tones and Repeated Training Not Bullying

A workplace manager used a blunt tone when speaking to an employee and provided more training than the employee wanted, or felt she needed.

Despite hearing these facts and the employer’s “clumsy” attempts to resolve the differences between the worker and her manager, the WA Fair Work Commission (FWC) recently found the worker was not bullied within the meaning of the Commonwealth Fair Work Act 2009.

The FWC concluded both parties misconstrued the intent of each other’s words and interactions, and this built up to a point where the mental health of both employees was affected.

The aggrieved worker was very sensitive to any management or control and perceived any interaction as criticism or over-bearing supervision.

In these circumstances the FWC concluded it was appropriate to relocate the worker to another department and this was not discriminatory or punishment, but reasonable management action.

The worker’s allegation of bullying was dismissed.