06:40 pm, Monday 8 February, 2010

WorkSafe has called out businesses to step up their anti-bullying policies and to deal with workplace bullying if the issue arises.

WorkSafe acting Executive Director Stan Krpan said today‘s judgment in relation to workplace bullying suffered by Brodie Panlock is a message to the entire community.

Melbourne Magistrate Peter Lauritsen has fined Ms Panlock’s employer, Map Foundation trading as Café Vamp, $220,000. Three of Ms Panlock’s coworkers and a company director of Map Foundation’s have been convicted and fined a total of $115,000.

Magistrate Lauritsen heard that the 19-year-old Panlock worked as a waitress at Hawthorne’s Café Vamp. She was bullied by three workmates, yet her employer allowed it to go on.

An earlier Coroners inquest found Brodie committed suicide after being bullied in 2006.

The magistrate said the cafe‘s working environment was poisonous. He noted the persistent bullying of Ms Panlock was in the worst category, but nothing was done to stop it.

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