Positive Workplace Practices (PWP) operates under the Queensland Working Women’s Service Inc.

PWP operates within a social justice framework by providing a service for a fee that is accessible to clients that may otherwise be unassisted in forums such as the Anti-Discrimination Commission, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, and the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.

Advocacy
The target group for advocacy services is low-income and precariously employed women who fall outside the current QWWS target groups. These individuals frequently approach QWWS for intensive assistance but are ineligible because of funding limitations.

Counselling
PWP provides workplace counselling for people in the Brisbane area.

Consultation fees are subsidised by QWWS and are charged on a sliding scale depending on income. The minimum cost per session is $35.

PWP offers counselling in the following areas;

• Workplace Bullying
• Stress Management
• How to handle problems at work

Services to other organisations
The target audience for these services are particular community based organisations that request assistance in the areas of workplace bullying and harassment, mediation, risk assessment and dispute resolution. QWWS has offered these services through PWP for a number of years on a small-scale fee for service basis.

QWWS can develop training modules targeted to specific organisational requirements. Contact us to discuss your needs. Examples of training which QWWS can provide are:

At the end of this session, participants will be able to;

• Understand the difference between Workplace Bullying and other forms of inappropriate behaviours such as Sexual Harassment or Discrimination
• Describe and identify bullying behaviours and the effects of bullying on the individual and the workplace
• Understand the "Best Practice" policy and procedures outlined in the Government 'Guidelines to Employers and Workers' on Workplace Bullying and identify any Corporate policies in relation to inappropriate behaviours
• Consider appropriate mechanisms for implementing a policy and procedures process internally to handle and resolve Workplace Bullying complaints using the newly launched 'Risky Business' publication
• Consider appropriate mechanisms for recognising, investigating and managing complaints using the policies and procedures of the Company;
• Develop an awareness of Mediation or Conciliation and formal grievance mechanisms and their outcomes

This session includes;

• Recruitment techniques;
• Managing and resolving disputes
• Obligations under Employment legislation
• Counselling employees about performance
• Termination processes
• Entitlements under awards
• Certified agreements
• Australian Workplace Agreements
• Common law contracts
• How to negotiate entitlements with the union or employees

Training can also be provided in the areas of;

• Effective Listening Skills
• Assertiveness Skills
• Negotiating Skills
• Fees

QWWS produces the following comprehensive workbooks;

A publication for employers on workplace bullying.

QWWS has responded to soaring levels of workplace bullying complaints from all over Queensland (approx. 30% of complaints annually). Whilst our traditional clients are employees, our advice is increasingly sought by employers.

Risky Business has been produced by the QWWS to help employers prevent and resolve workplace bullying.

Risky Business was developed with funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet. It compliments the 2004 Workplace Bullying Advisory Standard developed by the Division of Workplace Health and Safety in the Department of Industrial Relations.

The publication provides employers with a risk management strategy through an easy-to-follow process including;

• Identifying the risks in your workplace
• Building awareness among employees
• Identifying workplace bullying behaviours
• Developing anti-bullying strategies and policy
• Handling and investigating incidents
• Knowing your options and legal obligations
• Supporting documentation includes models, examples and some commonly asked questions.

Employers can use Risky Business to build a personalised strategy to suit individual workplaces.

A pre-employment training module for job seekers.

This comprehensive workbook developed by QWWS includes the development of;

• Self knowledge
• Goal setting and achievement
• Values and attitudes
• Skills recognition
• Resume and application letter writing
• Using words that sell
• Answering selection criteria and responding to advertisements
• Interview techniques and preparation

The workbook is divided into sections which can be delivered separately. This module is particularly suitable for women or men who are experiencing long term unemployment or have low literacy skills. The module consists of a Facilitators Guide and Participant's Workbook. QWWS can deliver the session for an additional fee.

The fee for programs and information under Positive Workplace Practices (PWP) varies. Please contact the Queensland Working Women's Service (QWWS) to discuss your needs.

Each workshop is approximately 1-2 hours and will generally require 1 hour preparation time.

Additional services available are;

• Provision of individual counselling
• Workplace investigations
• Consultancy on policy development