The Work Health and Safety Act 2012 requires an employer to provide a safe workplace and take care of their staff's physical and psychological wellbeing.

If a staff member makes a complaint against you as the employer, it is your responsibility to address the issue in the first instance.

You must address staff complaints adequately, sensitively and confidentially.

Learn more about what to do if you are the subject of a complaint.

Common complaints

Complaints against employers are often because staff feel unfairly treated, although it may not be unlawful. Some common issues include:

• the manner in which they have been spoken to by a colleague or supervisor
• the way their performance has been managed
• the way investigations have been done in the workplace.

Legitimate comment on staff performance or work-related behaviour is not unfair treatment.

Often it is not what is said, but how it is said that can offend people.

Workplace bullying

As an employer, you also have legal requirements to prevent workplace bullying.

Learn more about what constitutes workplace bullying and how you can prevent it in your workplace.