IT IS NEVER OK
Our actions have an impact, even the ones that seem ‘insignificant’ such as eye-rolling or using a bad word every now and then. However, for all of us at Dash, violence against our support workers is never OK.
According to Work Safe Victoria, work-related violence involves incidents in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. This definition covers a broad range of actions and behaviours that can create a risk to the health and safety of employees. It includes behaviour sometimes described as acting out, challenging behaviour and behaviours of concern. Some examples include:
- aggressive gestures or expressions such as eye rolling and sneering
- verbal abuse such as yelling, swearing and name calling
- intimidating physical behaviour such as standing in a worker’s personal space or standing over them
- physical assault such as biting, spitting, scratching, pushing, shoving, tripping and grabbing
- extreme acts of violence and aggression such as hitting, punching, strangulation, kicking, personal threats, threats with weapons, sexual harassment and assault.
At Dash, we recognise the importance of addressing these challenges, while we make it crystal clear: none of these behaviours are okay. Regardless of a person’s condition, we do not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards our support workers.
Repeated exposure to these incidents can have a cumulative and significant ongoing effect on the physical and mental well-being of our support workers. And, as we understand the importance of a supportive work environment, we stand firm in our commitment to creating a space where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected.
As a matter of fact, we believe in creating more than just a workplace: we strive to build a strong community that is rooted in respect and understanding. This commitment encompasses not only our clients but also our exceptional staff members who contribute to the heart and soul of Dash: to create meaningful connections. This is not just a goal, it’s our shared journey.
We recognise the value in each interaction, whether it’s with a client who trusts us for support or a staff member who pours their dedication into making Dash a special place. So let us continue building a violence-free work culture that allows every individual to feel safe and respected, thus able to embrace the sparkle of life.
