Dear Fellow Australians,

I find myself quite speechless and sad after watching this Four Corners ‘Don’t Speak’ episode. How can this still be happening in 2024?

The revelations exposed by journalist Louise Milligan reveal a dark underbelly of our workplaces; real lives shattered, dignity stripped away, and voices stifled.

Sadly, unlawful workplace behaviour in varying degrees, is not isolated to media organisations, and is more prevalent than we might imagine.

The recent Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll found that Australia has one of the highest rates of workplace violence and harassment in the world, with an average of 49.1% (compared to 21% globally).

The heart-wrenching stories of those who have been punished for speaking out, those who have been humiliated, those on the brink of self-harm, are not just examples of personal suffering; they are a moral crisis for our society.

In our training we often talk about good people getting it wrong and educating people so they understand their mistakes and can change their behaviours. This doesn’t appear to be the situation here and instead would be examples of abuse of power and its consequences, where people need to be held to account.

As Australians, we can and must do better. This is an urgent call for collective action:

• For affected individuals: Every victim has their own story of fear, pain, and disillusionment. The narrative extends beyond office walls to families and communities.
• For the integrity of our institutions: Our workplaces should be environments where individuals can collaborate and thrive. When unlawful behaviour is not addressed, it has an adverse impact on safety and productivity.
• For future generations: If we wish to ensure a future where respect and equality are intrinsic values, we must dismantle the structures that allow harassment to persist, and create safer environments.

The experiences shared in ‘Don’t Speak’ are a poignant reminder that we have fallen short of our collective best self. We can choose to ignore it “She’ll be right mate”. Or we can speak up as board directors, leaders, managers, team members.

It’s time for us, as a nation, to say enough is enough. We are better than this.

Let’s embrace this challenge with the seriousness it deserves, driven by empathy, justice, and a commitment to creating workplaces where everyone is valued and respected.

Together, we can transform the narrative. Together, we can be the change we so desperately need.

Sincerely,

Franca Sala Tenna

If you need support, please contact 1800RESPECT Australia or Lifeline Australia.