ABSTRACT
The Tasmanian government agency, Work Safe Tasmania, states: Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behavior directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to their health and safety. Differences of opinion, conflicts, and personality clashes can happen in the workplace and do not amount to bullying. However, if the behavior goes beyond a one-off disagreement, if it increases in intensity and becomes offensive or harmful to someone, it becomes bullying. Work Health and Safety Act 2012, an Act to secure the health, safety, and welfare of persons at work and for related purposes, became effective from January 1, 2013. The Act establishes general duties which are expected of persons at Tasmanian workplaces. The Act does not specifically refer to bullying but the issue is covered under the general duty of care provisions within the Act. In the Act, health is defined as both physical and psychological health.
