THE MARITIME WORKER Wellington Branch Wellington Branch Newsletter Vol: 11 June (2021)
WORK PLACE BULLYING JUST AND FAIR CULTURE? SO THEY SAY are considered second. The policy reflects this two-tiered approach to responsibility: 1) KiwiRail takes responsibility for the systems our members work in, and 2) our members take responsibility for their own behaviour. In 2020, KR-IIL invited MUNZto supply a list of names of delegates to attend JFCtraining which I did, because we felt it would be beneficial to all parties. JFCsupposedly helps to ensure KR-IIL are investigating risks and occurrences in a transparent, fair and consistent manner,that treat systems contributions and human behaviours equally. They also believe it helps to create an environment in which we have honest and open discussions about safety, recognising both organisational and individual accountabilities,so our members can speak about safety and operational issues without fear of negative consequences. Really? Herein lies the problem, and it’s pretty straight forward. When a problem is laid against a manager about anything - bullying, victimisation, unfair treatment, favouritismetc - KR-IIL constantly tell us there’s a thorough process that needs to be followed and all complaints need to be formalised in writing. I don’t have a problemwith this. I have personally been involved in some investigation processes which take months, and I hasten to add these were cases in which our members were involved. Article by Jim King - Secretary/Treasurer, Wellington Branch KiwiRail seems to be very selective when listening to its valued staff; their family members, so they say. When a complaint of bullying and/or harassment is made against one of their own managers, KiwiRail prides themselves on their just and fair culture processes. Over recent years KiwiRail has developed a Just &Fair Culture (JFC) policy and process, through consultation with other unions than MUNZ. They say they train managers and union delegates in its principles and practice. This is to ensure all events which require investigation are reviewed through the Just and Fair Culture process, applying a Systems and Behaviours Response Guide. This means systemic causes are analysed first, and personal behaviours
However, when the case involves complaints made against a manager, the entire process has taken as little as a few days. The manager/master has not been stood down, the investigation process was conducted on their time off, then they went directly back to work. By contrast when an allegation is made against MUNZmembers, especially by management, our members are stood down on pay and sometime wait months fully stressed out before their case is even heard. All the company can come back to us with is “that’s the process, it is what it is, there’s nothing we can do”. One would have thought that under the JFCprocess investigations would be dealt with in a more timely manner. I know MUNZis not party to the JFCprocess, but when KR-IIL issue letters to our members inviting themto a formal hearing they include the following statement: “As we progress through, we will follow the Just and Fair Culture guide considering the systemfactors and behaviours with
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