Workplace Bullying and Conflict of Interest in Origin Energy: An Ethical Analysis

ACCT19083 Final Assignment
Term 2, 2018
Student ID:..................................... Student name..............................................................
Marker’s overall comments: The markers may include any
final comments here.
Overall Mark (Total) out of 40:
0

Part A Question 1: Can workplace bullying represent a health and safety issue? Explain your answer and use the
case study to support your answer (300–400 words).
An article of ABC newspaper (2018), states that more than 40% of the employees in the nation of Australia are victims of workplace.
Recent researches have shown that these incidents of workplace not only affect the performance of these individuals but at the same
time affect the safety as well as the wellbeing of these individuals as well (Kelloway, Nielsen & Dimoff, 2017). In addition to these, the
various incidents of bullying also adversely affects the culture of an organization and it is seen that engagement level of the
employees as well (Trépanier, Fernet & Austin, 2015).
In the case under discussion here, Sally McDow is the victim of workplace bullying and this not only affects the quality of the work
that she does but at the same time affects the overall decisions taken by the organization as well. For example, she explicitly
mentions that there is a culture within the organization Origin wherein the senior members of the organization bully the junior
members, the employees are yelled at, abused and even physically intimidated so as make them yield to the decisions made by the
management team (Slezak, 2018). In addition to these, she also enumerates the incidents of the various meetings wherein she was
forced to yield despite being correct and at the same time was made to keep quiet regarding the various unethical and also wrong
practices of the organization (Slezak, 2018). This kind of treatment can not only shake the confidence level of an individual on his or
her abilities but also raise serious doubts regarding the nature or the kind of work that they are performing (Kelloway, Nielsen &
Dimoff, 2017). Furthermore, these activities of bullying and physical intimidation can also affect the mental as well as the physical
health or the wellbeing of the employees (Trépanier, Fernet & Austin, 2015). Thus, it can be said that the various incidents of bullying
does indeed pose a significant amount of threat to the health and the safety of the employees and therefore needs to be seen as a
serious issue by the organization.
References:
ABC News. (2018). Half of all Australians experience workplace bullying, survey finds [online]. Retrieved from
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-09/half-all-australians-experience-workplace-bullying-survey-finds/7916230
Kelloway, E. K., Nielsen, K., & Dimoff, J. K. (Eds.). (2017). Leading to Occupational Health and Safety: How Leadership
Behaviours Impact Organizational Safety and Well-Being. John Wiley & Sons.
Slezak, M. (2018). Origin Energy ignores coal seam gas well leaks, whistleblower says. Retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/27/origin-energy-ignores-coal-seam-gas-well-leaks-
whistleblower-says
Trépanier, S. G., Fernet, C., & Austin, S. (2015). A longitudinal investigation of workplace bullying, basic need satisfaction,
and employee functioning. Journal of occupational health psychology, 20(1), 105.

Marker’s Comments: The marker will provide feedback here. Mark (5):
0
Exceeds Expectations
(High Distinction) 85-100%
Exceeds Expectations
(Distinction) 75 - 84%
Meets Expectations
(Credit) 65 – 74%
Meets Expectations
(Pass) 50 – 64%
Below Expectations
(Fail) below 50%
Demonstrates a balanced and very
high level of detailed knowledge of
core concepts by providing a very
high level of analysis. Utilises
current, appropriate and credible
sources.
Demonstrates a balanced and high
level of knowledge of core
concepts by providing a high level
of analysis. Utilises mostly current,
appropriate and credible sources.
Demonstrates a good level of
knowledge of some of the core
concepts by providing some level
of analysis. Utilises some current,
appropriate and credible sources.
Demonstrates limited knowledge of
core concepts by providing a
limited level of analysis. Utilises
few current, appropriate and
credible sources.
Demonstrates little, if any,
knowledge of the core concepts
with extremely limited, if any,
analysis. Utilises little, if any,
current, appropriate and credible
sources.
Quality of writing at a very high
standard. Paragraphs are
coherently connected to each
other. Correct grammar, spelling
and punctuation.
Quality of writing is of a high
standard. Paragraphs are mostly
well structured. Few grammar,
spelling and punctuation mistakes.
Quality of writing is of a good
standard. Few grammar, spelling
and punctuation mistakes.
Some problems with sentence
structure and presentation
Frequent grammar, punctuation
and spelling mistakes. Use of
inappropriate language.
Quality of writing is at a very poor
standard so barely
understandable. Many spelling
mistakes. Little or no evidence of
proof reading.
The assessment presents a
detailed and focused summary of
the ideas presented; drawing clear
and well thought-out conclusions.
The assessment presents a fairly
detailed and focused summary of
the ideas presented; drawing fairly
clear and well thought-out
conclusions.
The assessment presents a
somewhat detailed and focused
summary of the ideas presented;
providing some evidence of
conclusions.
The assessment provides limited
detail with no clear summary of the
ideas presented; drawing limited
conclusions.
The assessment fails to provide
any clear evidence of the ideas
presented; drawing no clear
conclusions.