Probe On Bullying Claim
The Age
Saturday October 28, 2000
The Victorian WorkCover Authority is investigating an alleged incident of workplace bullying against an apprentice.
Toby Emsden was 17, and in his first full-time job, as an apprentice mechanic at BMW in Southbank, when he claims he became the victim of workplace bullying. Mr Emsden said he was playing with a grease gun when a squirt of grease landed on a co-worker's face. The worker hit Mr Emsden with a tyre lever, pulled his hair and punched him in the face.
The company apologised in writing, paid his medical expenses and vowed that he would not face discrimination.
But Mr Emsden said the opposite occurred. ``It was like I was the perpetrator. I became the butt of everyone's jokes and I didn't feel like I was part of the group any more."
Now 20, and working as a barman, Mr Emsden reported the incident to WorkCover with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. Union organiser David Nunns said no worker should be assaulted at work.
© 2000 The Age