The identities of the people in these case studies have not been revealed. Workers who have complained about the bullying and abusive behaviours have been sacked or isolated at work. Others are therefore afraid to speak up. Staff have asked the Workcover Authority for assistance, and although it has witnessed management shouting at and threatening staff, they have not intervened. A vicious verbal circle of abuse was not controlled, but supported by the HR manager.
Health problems mean the worker is unable to return to work.
All the workers, who are mostly casuals with high job insecurity, are subjected to bullying behaviour by the management, except for a select few, who are 'in cahoots' with the management. Junior staff harassed by senior manager When witnesses are not present, a young female staff member is harassed by the senior manager of a major department store because of her physical appearance. Fear of losing employment has prevented her from lodging a formal complaint. When bullying started, the young woman was not a union member, but she has since joined and sought assistance. A young woman working full time at a large caf in metropolitan Melbourne discovered that all the employees were being underpaid.