It’s against your rights to be harassed or bullied by managers, staff or clients because you have cancer or are caring for someone with cancer. Anti-bullying laws protect employees from repeated unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to their health and safety. This includes unreasonable work demands, offensive comments, intimidation or exclusion.
People may have different ideas about what is unacceptable behaviour. Even though someone did not mean to be offensive, it’s still not okay. Seek legal advice if you feel you’ve been bullied or harassed.
→ READ MORE: Resolving a workplace issue
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Brooke Russell, Principal Occupational Therapist, WA Cancer Occupational Therapy, WA; Bianca Alessi, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council SA; Dr Prunella Blinman, Medical Oncologist, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW; James Chirgwin, Physiotherapist, The Wesley Hospital, QLD; Danielle Curnoe, Consumer; Simon Gates, Barrister, Tasmanian Bar, TAS; Justin Hargreaves, Medical Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Bendigo Health Cancer Centre, VIC; Kaylene Jacques, Director, People and Communications, Cancer Council NSW; Alex Kelly, Senior People Attraction Advisor, Human Resources, Allianz Australia Insurance, NSW; Legal reviewer; Georgina Lohse, Social Worker, GV Health, VIC; Lesley McQuire, Consumer, Cancer Voices NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
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