A business contacted WorkMatters with a view to conduct an assessment in a work unit that consisted of 10 staff.  The unit was made up of a minority of staff that had worked within the unit for excess of 10 years with staff aligned to either one of two groups that had been formed.  The unit had a history of conflict with a high turnover of staff and managers. 

WorkMatters conducted individual interviews with staff and identified a number of bullying behaviours that most staff were participating in, including verbal abuse and swearing, belittling behaviour, isolation and exclusion of staff.  As a result of the findings of the assessment, individual meetings were held with staff, during which they were provided feedback and counselled on their own behaviours.  A whole of unit training session was conducted by WorkMatters on acceptable workplace behaviours and  focused on and identifying their preferred work and communication style, with a view to preparing them for a group facilitation. 

Feedback from managers indicated that all staff had altered their interaction with colleagues as a result of the assessment process and were positive about moving forward towards facilitation of the matter.  Facilitation took place, with the working group developing a statement of understanding which was provided to management for development and refinement.  The work group, including the management team, then participated in group facilitation where the statement of understanding was formalised.

Feedback from individual staff and the management team has identified a positive change in the workplace culture since the commencement of the assessment and issue resolution process.