The Public Service Association (PSA) attended, as a key stake holder, the Safe Conduct and Respectful Behaviours Taskforce which was created by the Minster for Health in 2008 to investigate and determine strategies for reducing violence and aggression in the workplace while simultaneously encouraging respectful behaviours.

This Taskforce made a number of recommendations regarding Respectful Behaviours (RB), which have now been agreed to by Minister Hill. These included the establishment of a committee to oversee the development of consistent SA Health wide policy, framework and package/documentation regarding Respectful Behaviours.

On Wednesday 24 June 2009 the PSA attended the first Respectful Behaviours Committee meeting. The main purpose of this committee will be to guide the direction of the project and act as a representative consultative group.

It was agreed that achieving the new key deliverables by 31 July 2009 was an unrealistic time line and the aim is now to achieve these by the end of September 2009, including:

• SA Health wide policy on Respectful Behaviours.

• SA Health wide guidelines on RB implementation.

• SA Health wide RB Resource Kit.

• Report to Chief Executive of SA Health.

It is a concern to the PSA that regions have gone ahead and launched their own policies without a consistent approach, even though being aware that work was being undertaken for a SA Health wide policy, guidelines and resource kit. The PSA aim is to get the best for members and will not be pressured into accepting policy that regions have gone ahead launching without consultation.

The PSA will keep members informed upon the developments of the Respectful Behaviours Committee and consult with members in relation to the draft documentation.

For enquiries please contact Industrial Officer, Sue Cummins, on telephone 8205 3260
or email sc@cpsu.asn.au

PSA/CPSU WORKING FOR MEMBERS IN HEALTH