Unions
It’s time to ratify the ILO’s Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019
Violence and harassment has been seen as part and parcel of being a nurse or midwife since time immemorial. Many have come to accept it as being simply “part of the job”. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
In the middle of last year, the International Labor Organisation (ILO) adopted the historic Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No 190) – a template for government to prevent violence and harassment against all workers. Governments, trade unions and employer organisations came together in a mighty show of force to say that enough is enough when it comes to violence in the workplace.
The Convention’s ambit is sweeping. The ILO’s Chief of Gender, Equality and Diversity, Shauna Olney explains harassment is likely to result in “physical, psychological, sexual or economic harm”. It also takes into account the fact that work does not always take place at one physical workplace; it addresses issues such as domestic work and work-related communication.
Like any convention decided by an international body, this convention is unenforceable until governments ratify it – and that includes our government here in Australia.
Ratification is the step of making an international agreement part of domestic law. It essentially requires our Federal Parliament to bring in legislation that puts the ILO’s convention into effect. It sounds easy, but our government has yet to put the pedal to the metal when it comes to this important change.
So this year, we need our politicians to take the brave move to legislate in favour of preventing violence and harassment in our workplaces. It’s the least they can do to support the work nurses and midwives do.
Kathryn Henderson says
Having nursed since 1972, and still an active member of the Nursing profession today, I am pleased to be able to comment on the bullying nature of some members in the “‘ Caring Profession.” 40 years ago there were Matrons and Doctors whose sudden appearance on the ward could turn many young health workers, knees, to jelly. In those days, the best we could do, would be to remain silent. nowadays, it seems like everyone has an opinion, from hotel services, catering and the most junior members of the Nursing team. This isn’t a good look when you consider respect and curtesy were two of the basic lessons taught in each area of hospital training in every department. I get worried about the level of care I will get when its my turn to be cared for. Is this something that should be addressed from the HSM down or the inclusion of a clause in the successful applicants letter offering a position.
It seems we threw professionalism out when we became focused on University Trained Nurses Vs AIN coming through Tafe. Shame we didn’t stay with on the job training where everyone shared the shifts and the experiences around. Nothing like being on the job to learn what is expected of you in any situation. One thing I guarantee, once you’ve experienced a situation that is different to the norm, you will never forget it. We were mentored through 3 years of intense training and learned about managing a ward for a year following its completion. How I would love to see those days again and the respect and genuine care return to the workplace. Today, bullying is a daily problem in many places, if not all. It’s coming in every known form and isolates the newest employee, keeps a seething hatred alive and in most situations, the HSM chooses to ignore it, or openly allows it. A real shame, I have never found the need to bully, I have remained a member of the care team i am leading and I enjoy working that way. On the other hand, I refuse to allow anyone to bludge on any member of the staff, by not sharing the work load and refuse to allow anyone to carry a personal telephone into the workplace without a very real cause. For those I see doing what they have been hired to do, take a well earned pat on the back, whatever you do, don’t allow yourselves to be bullied into joining the other side, we’ll all be asked what we did with our gifts and talents one day, not how many degrees we have. It will be a simple question of how did you treat those you cared for. As our day comes around, to leave this world it won’t be certificates, degrees, masters or thesis we have collared, or positions of power we gained that we want in our final hours, it will be good memories of what we did well, our fondest memories and those loved ones we cherish that will be our strength, and the beliefs we have lived by. So, don’t drop the ball now, we’re almost done.
Kathryn Henderson says
It’s not impossible to change your attitude, The only degree necessary is a 180 degree change from a bad working behaviour, to a helpful inclusive respectful professional approach to your role..