Response to opinion article, published in The Courier Mail on Saturday, 24 June, 2023.
PLEASE ATTRIBUTE TO A QUEENSLAND RAIL SPOKESPERSON:
Bullying and harassment
Queensland Rail takes all allegations of bullying, harassment, intimidation or any other behaviour that negatively affects the health and safety of our employees extremely seriously.
Every complaint of this nature is investigated thoroughly through our complaints process and the relevant action taken.
In the last three years, there were three complaints classed as bullying or harassment at the Rail Management Centre and the appropriate action was taken.
As an example of Queensland Rail's commitment to zero-tolerance of bullying in our workplace, since the last article published in The Courier Mail by Des Houghton on 3 June, the attached correspondence went out to all employees at the Bowen Hills Rail Management Centre.
Employees were engaged directly by Senior Management, reminded of this zero-tolerance approach and encouraged to report inappropriate behaviour. This can be done through several channels (including anonymous options and external independent bodies).
We are proud to promote a respectful and inclusive workplace. Queensland Rail has implemented the following strategies:
- QR Respect 'Signal Respect' campaign: Record it, report it, don't support it.
- Strengthening our Bullying and Harassment procedures
- Establishment of 'Safe Station' – improvements to reporting, support and complaints triage
- Appointment of Chief Mental Health Officer with a focus on psychological safety in the workplace
- QR Engage surveys. Debriefs are currently underway and should anything be raised, it will be addressed.
Queensland Rail, like any large employer, continues to implement policies, procedures and processes to ensure all staff behave in a professional and respectful way, consistent with society's modern standards.
We are very concerned about allegations raised by The Courier Mail and that there may be employees who had experiences that do not meet our zero-tolerance standard. Employees who have bullying concerns are encouraged to come forward.
To report a complaint contact the Stopline anonymously or Group Executive of People and Culture Rebecca Munn on rebecca.munn@qr.com.au.
Our Group Executive of People and Culture would welcome a confidential discussion with any employee and offers assurances that they would be supported through this process.
Safety
The safety of customers and staff is Queensland Rail's number one priority. Every Signal Passed at Danger (SPAD) event is taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Queensland Rail's SPAD performance versus Australian industry SPAD rates shows that for the four-year period to June 2022, Queensland Rail's performance is equal to or better than the Australian industry rates.
The Queensland Rail Operator SPAD rate per million train kilometres for 2021-22 was 1.89, which was a decrease from the previous financial year (2.42).
SPAD rates remain low and have not risen in proportion to the increased services. The SPAD rate, for example, for the current financial year is 1.44.
Queensland Rail continues to focus on prevention strategies such as the SPAD Prevention Taskforce, innovative technologies such as European Train Control System (ETCS) and driver awareness campaigns.
The Taskforce has introduced several additional measures —including increased engagement with drivers and train controllers, increased competency testing, and physical changes to signalling infrastructure —to help improve our overall safety performance.
We also work proactively work with the national regulator to improve our safety performance.
Disability access
Queensland Rail is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to the prevention and elimination of discrimination in the workplace.
This includes providing accessibility for our customers and employees.
Like all businesses, Queensland Rail is committed to meeting modern accessibility standards and has a program of works underway to upgrade our stations and buildings for our customers and employees.
ENDS
ATTACHMENT REFERRED TO IN MEDIA STATEMENT
Monday, 5 June 2023
Response to media reporting regarding bullying and harassment
Good afternoon,
Over the weekend, some media reporting occurred regarding alleged sexual harassment and bullying within the Rail Management Centre — your workplace. Neil and I would like to make it clear that the anonymous claims were thoroughly investigated. No evidence was found to substantiate the allegation, and no complaint has been made.
Queensland Rail has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, intimidation, or any other behaviour that negatively affects the health and safety of our employees. Behaviour like that which has been alleged, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We encourage anyone who is aware of inappropriate behaviour to come forward and report it.
We are proud to promote a respectful and inclusive workplace. We all have a role to play in signalling respect in the workplace, and there are some simple actions we can all take:
- Record it — Make a record (written) of the behaviour experienced or witnessed.
- Report it — Report it through the appropriate channels. For more information on reporting mechanisms, visit the QR Respect Hub page.
- Don't support it — If you witness inappropriate behaviour, be an advocate for positive change and don't be afraid to call out behaviour which doesn't align with our 1TEAM values or our code of conduct.
Many of you would be aware that Queensland Rail has been working hard over the past few years to promote a safe and respectful workplace, under the umbrella of the QR Respect program. Some of the improvements we've seen include a strengthening of our bullying and harassment policies and procedures, the appointment of our Chief Mental Health Officer, dedicated employee and leader training, and coming soon is the new Safe Station team who will be responsible for triaging and managing complaints and support.
We understand the impact it may have on you, to hear these allegations in the media, and want to reassure you all that you have our full support. Should you require support, a reminder that our Employee Assistance Program provider, through Converge International, is available for confidential support for you and your family.
Thank you to everyone for your continued passion, dedication and focus on our shared mission to deliver world-class rail services for our customers.
Bec Munn Neil Backer
Group Executive People and Culture Executive General Manager, SEQ Operations
Queensland Rail Queensland Rail