Rationale:

• The early and effective resolution of conflict between staff members contributes significantly to the creation of a positive, safe, secure, and harmonious workplace.  Kensington Community High School has therefore developed a fair and structured process for managing conflict and workplace issues that we believe provides an opportunity for early, and effective resolution of employee concerns.

Aims:

• To ensure that appropriate standards of workplace safety are maintained at all times.

• To ensure appropriate consultation and communication regarding OHS matters, and that a clear and effective method for dealing with conflict is understood and available to all.

• To prevent accident, injury and illness related to the workplace.

• Where professional conversation and the OHS process described in the flow chart does not assist a resolution, KCHS will provide a mediation process. This process will be conducted for the school by a trained facilitator at the expense of KCHS. 

• The Principal will determine whether independent mediation is required.

Implementation:

• Occupational Health and Safety is a shared responsibility of the KCHS staff, KCH-School Council and the wider school community.

• Open, honest, clear and accurate communication between all parties is a characteristic of safe and injury free workplaces.

• An Occupational Health and Safety Committee will be established; it will meet at least monthly consistent with an OHS committee Charter that it develops. Staff will elect an Occupational Health and Safety Representative (OHSR). The OHSR and the principal will be members of the OHS committee.

• The Principal will liaise closely with the OHS committee, the OSHR, and staff to develop an Issue Resolution Flow Chart that details the steps and options available to staff in their pursuit of a resolution to an issue or conflict.

• The Principal will liaise closely with the OHSR during the resolution of any workplace OHS issue or conflict.

• An additional support for the resolution of workplace conflict is the Engagement of Resolutions Unit - 9529 6600 (DET).

• The agreed Issue Resolution Flow Chart, the OHSR and the Principal will all indicate to staff involved in a workplace issue that they can seek assistance or support from the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at any time by contacting 1800 337 068.

• The Issue Resolution Flow Chart and information regarding the EAP will be displayed on the OHS noticeboards throughout the school.

• Issues that appear to repetitively cause conflict between staff members will be considered for review by the OHS committee in consultation with staff.  In doing so, the KCHS OHS committee will engage a consultative, risk management approach.

• KCHS staff members will always be invited to contribute at any time to OHS matters, inspections or reviews that involve them individually, their colleagues or their work.  

Evaluation:

• An annual Occupational Health and Safety review will be conducted by the appointed OHSR in consultation with the Principal and nominees from the OHS committee or after any serious incident or near miss.

• The outcomes of this review will be placed on the OHS notice board. Where these outcomes relate to school resources and property they will be included within the Buildings and Grounds committee’s report to School Council and the community.  

• This policy will be reviewed as part of the KCH-School’s three-year review cycle.

• The KCHS OHS Issues Resolution Flow Chart is attached as an Appendix to this policy – the flow chart is dated 2016 (DET).

• A draft copy of this policy has been presented to the KCHS Consultative Committee for further discussion, comment, and/or suggested amendment (May, 2016).

This policy was listed to be ratified by School Council on: ______________________