Policy Statement

CAIA will strive to achieve a healthy and safe environment by addressing the issue of harassment, discrimination and Bullying. CAIA is concerned to ensure that harassment, discrimination and Bullying does not occur but, in the event it does, appropriate action is taken quickly. CAIA commits itself to educating members and employees as to the nature and effects of harassment, discrimination and bullying, and to providing the necessary resources to inform them of the contents of this policy.

Members and Employees of CAIA must not engage in harassing, discriminatory or bullying behaviour towards another member or employee; or a member of the public with whom they have contact. CAIA does not tolerate such behaviour and may take disciplinary action up to and including dismissal against any member or employee who:
• participates in harassing, discriminatory or bullying behaviour; or
• victimises or retaliates against a member or an employee who has lodged a complaint about harassment, discrimination or Bullying. Accordingly, all

CAIA employees are to:

• comply with CAIA Values and Code of Conduct;
• comply with CAIA’s Professional Behaviours;
• embrace CAIA’s Code of Ethics and Values;
• treat others in a professional, courteous, respectful and fair way;
• treat harassment, discrimination and Bullying matters seriously, and deal with them in a prompt, confidential and fair manner; and
• report any incidents to an appropriate person.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to make CAIA employees aware of what constitutes harassment, discrimination and Bullying, and their responsibilities in preventing and managing such incidents.
The intended outcome is a workplace that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying.
This policy should be read in conjunction with the CAIA Harassment, Discrimination and Bullying Guidelines.

Application

This policy applies to CAIA ongoing and non-ongoing members, employees, contractors and consultants.

This policy covers:

• Any behaviour or series of behaviours that unfairly or unreasonably offends, humiliates, intimidates, belittles, undermines, scares, excludes, or embarrasses anyone it is directed at, or anyone who sees or overhears it; and
• Any behaviour or series of behaviours which may constitute any form of discrimination.

Harassment, Discrimination and Bullying Policy

This policy does not cover:
• Interpersonal conflicts and occasional differences of opinion or disagreement with decisions which may be more appropriately addressed in accordance with CAIA’s Values and Code of Ethics and in particular, resolving problems with administrative matters;
• Reasonable and appropriate corrective management of a member or an employee’s poor performance or behaviour; or
• Enforcement of lawful directions issued by the CAIA directors.

Legal Framework

Harassment or discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, religion, political opinion, sex, pregnancy or potential pregnancy, marital status, body type, physical or mental disability, sexual preference, national extraction or social origin, age, and/or family responsibilities is an offence under various Commonwealth anti discrimination and workplace legislation. Further, employees must not harass or discriminate against others on the grounds of political or religious conviction or union membership status.
CAIA has a responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1991 (OHS Act) to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others in the workplace. Individual employees may be liable to prosecution under the OHS Act for failure to provide a safe workplace. Harassment, discrimination and bullying may result in injury to staff, which may be compensable under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1998.

Responsibilities

All CAIA employees are responsible for ensuring that breaches of this policy do not occur.
Supervisors and managers have a leadership role and are responsible for preventing incidents and taking prompt action if breaches do occur.

Breaches

Engaging in harassing, discriminating or bullying conduct in the workplace constitutes a breach of this policy and the CAIA Code of Conduct and may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. In some instances harassment, discrimination or Bullying may also amount to a criminal offence or a breach of relevant Commonwealth legislation.