Bullying at the University of Newcastle (Australia)
We are working to highlight and stop academic workplace bullying at the University of Newcastle, Australia. We are a group of staff and students who have been bullied for speaking out about misconduct.
Help make a difference –
*answer our survey,
*contribute to the blog, or
*contact us.
This will help us gather as much information as possible so that we can put an end to this bullying with its’ decades-long history.
“Systemic bullying, hazing and abuse generally are identified with poor, weak or toxic organizational cultures. Cultures that are toxic have stated ethical values that are espoused but not employed, and other non-ethical values which are operational, dominant, but unstated.
Such cultures thrive when good people are silent, silenced, or pushed out; when bad apples are vocal, retained, promoted, and empowered; and when the neutral majority remain silent in order to survive. Those who are most successful in such a toxic culture are those who have adapted to it, or adopted it as their own”. (McKay, Arnold, Fratzl & Thomas, 2008)

Thursday, July 28, 2011
Full marks for the University of Newcastle, Australia!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Newcastle Uni hosts threat assessment conference
This conference focuses on
"the assessment and management of persons who engage in threatening and volatile behaviours. Such persons can include current and former students, faculty, staff and even members of the community at large. These individuals can be highly disruptive in campus settings. Their behaviours may range from tactics of bullying and intimidation, to stalking and harassment, to acts of severe violence that devastate a campus, workplace, family, and community."
This looks promising - over 170 staff, students or ex-staff and students have reported bullying, intimidation and harrassment at the University of Newcastle. Is the University responding to this????????.
So who are these people who need to be managed? Well, our survey reveals that they are managers, lecturers, senior lecturers and higher up the . Many have been promoted at the University for the skills at bullying and harrassment, especially if they have got rid of a whistleblower.
Our survey shows the extent and severity of bullying and harrassment here BUT the University spends tax-payers' money on a conference addressing an event that is considered "NOT A HIGH-LIKELIHOOD EVENT". Meanwhile, to date,
- 37 respondents to our survey have considered suicide
- Most have suffered substantial psychological and physical effects as well as losing their jobs, careers, families and friends.
Posters and Banners Policy
The University's Policy on posters stated that it "aims to allow freedom of expression and the free flow of information" and that posters should be of student interest. Posters did NOT have to be approved or stamped.
On this website (see Post 27th March 2011), we highlighted the irrelevance and/or commercial nature of other posters which are allowed to be placed on campus.
Now the University has a NEW policy on posters and banners..............
Commercial posters are not allowed ("Posters which are for external commercial activities are not permitted on University campuses and locations").
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Health Professionals and ethics
Professor Trevor Waring, Chancellor of the University of Newcastle, is a practising clinical psychologist.
Professor Kevin McConkey, DVC Academic and Global Relations, is a psychologist.
Over 170 staff and students at the University of Newcastle report being bullied.
32 had considered suicide because of this bullying.
What happened to the ethics of DO NO HARM?
Monday, July 11, 2011
Radio program on workplace bullying
It's tricky territory. No one agrees on one definition, and what is bullying to one person is normal behaviour to another. But who investigates bullying, and is that process working? First-hand accounts from people who believe the system let them down. Reporter: Hagar Cohen"
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2011/3257688.htm
You can listen online or download a podcast. Don't forget the comments.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Coffee?
Would you like to meet up for a coffee?
We are happy to meet up with you if you have been bullied or seen other people being bullied.
We can meet away from the University.
Contact us via our email stopbullyingat-newcastleuni@live.com and we can set up a time and place.