Occupational Violence, Aggression and Duty of Care in Australia - The Australian Security Research Centre

The Australian Security Research Centre released their research report today on Occupational Violence, Aggression and Duty of Care in Australia.

It makes for an interesting read and highlights that employers have a duty of care to their employees regarding OVA. I am grateful for the mention in the report.

Importantly, it also mentions that their is a requirement to train staff in key areas or recognition and mitigating OVA.

Such training is not merely a ‘tick box’ exercise and requires investment of time, money and support. I wonder how many organisations will look at their current training needs after assessing needs?

I am also pleased that the report mentions that staff are to be trained to recognise their own behaviours, and stress triggers, that may contribute to aggressive behaviour. The use of Betari’s box in this instance, is a very useful tool to use in any training and my own personal tip is that the most essential skill is a good attitude, starting with positive regard for the person and the capacity for empathy when communicating/de-escalating an angry person

Reporting systems are also discussed and that reporting needs to be culturally acceptable. Perhaps one day certain systems will be looked at and simplified to encourage staff to report more. Likewise, more work needs to be undertaken by organisations to prevent senior staff preventing and discouraging reporting. To this regards, OHS legislation should be at the forefront of any work in this area - “acts and omission” spring to mind