Feeling safe and supported on placement
You have a right to feel safe and supported while on placement as a student or trainee. You are encouraged to discuss or report any incidents of harassment or discrimination while on placement.
This page has information about the different types of undesirable behaviours and identifies the actions you can take should you experience this while on placement.
No employees, supervisors, managers, students or trainees are to discriminate, bully or harass others whilst working or on placement.
Safe workplaces
The ACT public health service is committed to providing a safe, supportive and harmonious workplace, where everyone has the right to be treated fairly and with respect.
All students and trainees on placement with ACT Health and Canberra Health Services have the same right as employees to feel safe and supported in the workplace.
Appropriate workplace behaviour is the responsibility of everyone. All employees, students and trainees must uphold the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct and values for their specific organisation.
Diversity
Diversity is respected, incidents of harassment and discrimination are addressed, and complaints are treated seriously, promptly and confidentially.
Workplace discrimination
This refers to any policy, procedure, rule, regulation, decision or practice at work that leads to an individual or group not being treated equally to the rest of the workforce.
Direct or indirect workplace discrimination is unlawful on the basis of:
- race
- colour
- national or ethnic origin
- immigrant status
- sex
- pregnancy
- marital status
- breastfeeding
- age
- disability
- sexual orientation
- gender identity
- intersex status
- religious belief or political conviction
- trade union activity or membership associations
- profession, trade, occupation or calling.
Harassment
Involves any form of unwelcome, offensive, humiliating, or threatening behaviour. This can include creating an atmosphere that is offensive, humiliating or threatening.
Harassment may have occurred even when there was no intention to offend.
Bullying
Bullying can cover a broad range of overt and subtle behaviours. Workplace bullying is unreasonable, undesirable behaviour at work that generally meets each of the following criteria:
- it is repeated
- it is unwelcome and unsolicited
- it occurs between workers of an organisation, for example, it is internal as opposed to being client initiated or initiated by a person outside the organisation
- a reasonable person would consider the behaviour to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening
- it has the potential to cause harm to those experiencing this behaviour.
If you experience undesirable behaviour in the workplace
Firstly, you should try to resolve matters informally by speaking with the person who has behaved inappropriately in a timely manner. You should respectfully tell the person how their behaviour has affected them and ask them to stop.
If you do not feel comfortable speaking directly to the person concerned or feel this was not enough, you can:
- Discuss the matter with your clinical educator, clinical facilitator or a line supervisor or manager.
- Approach the Employee Advocate if on placement at ACT Health or Canberra Health Services. Email CHS.EmployeeAdvocate@act.gov.au or call 5124 3656. Their role is to provide sound, considered and consistent information and guidance to employees and students.
- Talk to a Respect, Equity and Diversity Contact Officer. They can offer you support and information in management and preventing bullying, harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
- Approach the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). There are several providers who are available to employees and students or trainees. Contact information is available on the intranet
- Contact the Clinical Placement Office on 02 5124 5887.
- Contact your education provider.
Further information
Go to the following for more help or information.
- The ACT Discrimination Act 1991 – ACT Legislation Register
- ACT Human Rights Commission – Victim's support number 1800 822 272
- ACTPS Employment Portal – Resolving Workplace Issues.