Tertiary Update Vol 16 No 8
Massey University is working to prevent workplace bullying and harassment.
The project is a notable feature of the ongoing implementation of the recommendations from the Pay and Employment Equity Review, which the university undertook in cooperation with TEU in 2010. The university began its project by changing its ’20/20′ vision statement to incorporate a clear statement that such workplace bullying and harassment is unacceptable at Massey. Late last year the senior management team participated in a half-day workshop, and the university offered training on bullying and harassment to all its managers. Massey has recently indicated it will provide further workshops for managers with a clear expectation that they will all take part.
Currently the project implementation team, which was established with joint chairs Alan Davis, Assistant Vice Chancellor (People and Organisational Development) and Suzanne McNabb TEU women’s officer, is reviewing the university’s harassment contact network and planning to extend it to staff as well as students. It updated its Harassment at Work policy and procedures last year.
“Massey University has recognised that bullying and harassment is an issue, not just for staff at Massey, but throughout the sector. It has taken active steps to address findings from the Review as well as promoting a respectful culture,” said Suzanne McNabb, “and we applaud them for this work.”
TEU members at Waiāriki and Bay of Plenty polytechnics will be holding workshops on bullying and harassment next month.
Also in Tertiary Update this week:
- Waikato cuts way to surplus
- The Opportunity March on 14 August
- Standardised assessment of learning poses dangers
- Race Relations Day today
- TPPA negotiations speed up despite asset sale fears
Other news
TEU is requesting proposals from individual researchers or research organisations interested in contributing to analysis of the impact of the changes that have taken place in the tertiary education sector over the past decade. The first project is a systematic evaluation into the costs and benefits of performance based funding. The second is an analysis of the impact of the changes that have taken place in the tertiary education sector over the past decade.
The Taranaki Daily News understands the academic board sent a letter to the Witt Council after the announcement Mr Handley’s contract would not be renewed. The letter claimed that because the council had been investigating a new strategic direction and had not consulted the academic board, it was in breach of the Education Act – Taranaki Daily News
New Zealand Qualifications Authority staff walked off the job last week over unhappiness with pay and employment talks. PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said union members were trying to achieve a simpler pay system that would deliver increases to everyone’s base salary – New Zealand Herald
In 1913 a young labour activist (and future prime minister) named Walter Nash ran a nationwide essay competition on the subject ‘What Socialism Is’. Forty entries were received and the winners were published in the weekly newspaper, the Maoriland Worker. A hundred years later the Labour History Project Inc., which researches, records, preserves and promotes the history of working life in Aotearoa/NZ, is holding another essay competition to inspire debate on alternative futures – Labour History Project
Companies are using sensor badges to track employees’ movements in the office as a way to monitor and improve productivity. The badges check workers’ movement and tone of voice throughout the work day, recording how often they get up from their desk, talk to others or sit in meetings – news.com.au