ŷ��AV

I’m experiencing a workplace issue, can ŷ��AV help?

The lines between what is a workplace or College issue are not always clear. We have provided some general information here; we encourage you to contact us to talk through which agency would be best placed to respond to your concern.

If your issue relates to bullying, harassment or discrimination, please read the previous FAQ, ‘I’ve been bullied, harassed or discriminated against in my workplace, what are my options?’

Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe workplace. The College has limited jurisdiction in workplace issues. However, all ŷ��AV members and trainees are bound by the ŷ��AV Code of Conduct, including for behaviour that occurs in the workplace.

You can complain to ŷ��AV about a breach of our Code of Conduct. However, if another body (such as your employer) is currently investigating the matter, ŷ��AV generally would not start its own investigation. Visit Feedback, Compliments and Complaints for more information.

For industrial matters such as rostering or access to leave, the Australian or Aotearoa New Zealand medical associations may be able to help you if you’re a member. Please visit our wellbeing webpage for your local medical association contact details.

ŷ��AV accredits hospitals to deliver Fŷ��AV training, and training units to deliver subspecialist training. Hospitals need to meet our standards to ensure that trainees can access the resources, clinical experience and learning environment to complete their training.

Where ŷ��AV receives information that indicates that the hospital may not be meeting the requirements of the standards, the ŷ��AV accreditation team will gather further information and may intervene, from writing to the hospital about a specific issue, to holding an out-of-cycle visit. See ‘Ongoing monitoring’ in the Accreditation Process and Guidelines for Hospitals in the Fŷ��AV ŷ��AV Program for more information.

Many medical defence organisations offer legal advice to their policy holders.

I’ve been bullied, harassed or discriminated against in my workplace, what are my options?

�鴡���ܰ䰿��’s Code of Conduct sets out our expectation that all members will act in line with our values and treat their colleagues with respect.

There are several ways you can respond if you’ve experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment or discrimination (BHD). When you contact the MTSU, we’ll clarify the outcome you are seeking. We can talk you through the options and discuss which one is right for you. You can also speak to �鴡���ܰ䰿��’s Complaints Pathway Support Officer, who is based in our Governance and Legal Team.

You may be worried about repercussions if you make a complaint. Rest assured that your conversations with the MTSU are confidential. At all stages, you decide your course of action. The MTSU will only escalate a matter if you agree, unless your own, a patient’s or someone else’s safety is at risk.

You can complain to several bodies:

• ŷ��AV: you can complain to ŷ��AV about a breach of our Code of Conduct; however, if another body (such as your employer) is currently investigating the matter, ŷ��AV generally would not start its own investigation. Visit Feedback, Compliments and Complaints for more information and our online complaint form.
• Your employer: see your employer’s policies. Employers are legally responsible for providing a safe workplace, including an environment free from bullying, harassment and discrimination.
• WorkSafe: The regulator for health and safety at work. Please refer to our Wellbeing Resources above (in the ‘Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination’ category) to learn more.
• For discrimination complaints: to the or .

If ŷ��AV finds that someone has breached its Code of Conduct, sanctions can apply. For more information on sanctions, BHD definitions and support options, see our Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

We also have a BHD resource guide that sets out:

• College member roles and responsibilities
• BHD examples
• How to be supportive bystander

If it’s suitable, you could consider speaking to the person who carried out the behaviour. The RACS Speak Up app helps doctors prepare for such conversations; it’s available from the or . We acknowledge that the app will be appropriate for some, but not all situations.

With your permission, the MTSU can pass on feedback to the College’s accreditation team. If the feedback indicates that a training site may not be meeting our accreditation standards, the College has several interventions it can carry out, ranging from writing to the training site to conducting an out-of-cycle hospital visit. See ‘Ongoing monitoring’ in the Accreditation Process and Guidelines for Hospitals in the Fŷ��AV ŷ��AV Program for more information.