MMM343: ‘Metro Trains buries damaging report into workplace bullying and sexism’ - Management Assignment

Internal Code: MAS6294

Management Assignment:

The article ‘Metro Trains buries damaging report into workplace bullying and sexism’ by Adam Carey was published on the 5th of February 2017. The article details Metro’s attempt to suppress findings by a hired former senior police detective who unveiled its ‘toxic’ culture and confirmed the spate of staff allegations regarding sexism and bullying in the workplace. After examining the report, Metro expressed concerns that some of its employees appear to have ‘lost their moral compass’ (Carey 2017). Although the report will not be made public, various details and instances were leaked to The Age that exposes how sexism appears to be entrenched in Metro’s organisational culture. The article raises several ethical issues. Firstly, it brings to light the issue of rampant gender discrimination towards female employees. The Australian Human Rights Commission (c. 1986) acknowledges that sex-based discrimination impinges upon a woman’s inherent right to feel safe and respected at work. Legislation such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth), reiterates Australia’s pursuit to achieve gender equality between men and women. Secondly, the article highlights the issue of excessive bullying and harassment that has transpired without consequences. A person is bullied at work if they are subjected to unreasonable behaviour that creates a risk to their health and safety (Safe Work Australia [SWA] 2016). Vandalising a manager’s vehicle is a primary example of this – as seen in the article. As Australia enforces national anti-bullying laws in an attempt to eradicate workplace bullying (SWA 2016), such behaviour is denounced.