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Workplace Disputes

Workplace disputes can include:

• conflicts between management and employees
• personality clashes between co-workers
• conflicts over fair distribution of work and sharing workloads
• problems with punctuality, appropriate dress-codes and rosters.

The following information is not legal advice and has been included to help you start thinking about the issues involved.

Dealing with workplace disputes

Many disputes can be resolved through communication and negotiation, which can help to reduce costs, delays and legal action. The Dispute Settlement Centre provides a free service and can offer advice and tips for dealing with matters yourself. The Centre also provides neutral, objective mediators to help you resolve disputes of any size or complexity.

The 'disputeinfo' website has step-by-step advice about common dispute situations and practical solutions.

Sometimes a workplace dispute may centre around other problems, such as structural or ideological problems within the organisation. While there is a sophisticated industrial law system in Australia to resolve many types of workplace conflict, the people involved may prefer to resolve some matters 'in-house'.

There usually are grievance procedures within the workplace, or available through some external body such as a union or employer group. If you would prefer to use a neutral third party, the Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) can be contacted.

The DSCV can help you work to prevent disputes, as well as mediating in current conflicts. The DSCV can help if your workplace does not have a specific dispute resolution procedure, or if you do not wish to use it, provided the people involved consent.

This service is particularly useful when the problems between the people working together affect the efficient running of a workplace or the work performance of the people involved in the dispute.

You should investigate the formal channels of dispute resolution for your problem before contacting the DSCV. The formal channels often include some form of mediation or conciliation. These kinds of disputes can throw up many different problems. You should seek information about all your options and obligations.

Who else can help?

Your union or employer group can give you advice, even if you aren't a member.

Jobwatch provides legal advice and information about employment and training.

The Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission may be able to help where there has been sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex, age, or ethnic background.

The Victorian WorkCover Authority can assist with complaints about health and safety issues, unsafe working conditions and compensation enquiries.

If you are considering taking legal action we recommend you seek independent legal advice. Contact any of the following:

• Victoria Legal Aid
• Community Legal Centre
• the Law Institute of Victoria.