Brodie’s Law to tackle workplace bullying:

The parents of Brodie Panlock, the 19-year-old who took her life in 2006 after relentless bullying at the suburban Melbourne café where she worked, are taking their fight against workplace bullies to the national stage.

Damien and Rae Panlock are joining the Alannah and Madeline Foundation to deliver Brodie’s Law, an education and prevention program that aims to reduce workplace bullying of young people.

Through partnering with the Foundation, the Brodie’s Law campaign will continue to raise awareness about the serious issue of workplace bullying, educate workplaces about bullying laws and will develop programs to prevent bullying and create positive cultures to ensure young people are safe in the workplace.

Dr Judith Slocombe, CEO of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, said she was thrilled.

“The Alannah and Madeline Foundation has so far had tremendous success in creating cultural change in schools and libraries to reduce the impact of bullying, through our eSmart program, which is now in over 1,700 schools across Australia and will be rolled out to all 1,500 public libraries over the next four years,” she said.

“Applying our experience in the workplace is a logical next step and we are confident it will have a real impact in reducing bullying in the workplace and keep young people safe from violence.”

The Productivity Commission has estimated that workplace bullying costs the nation between $6 billion and $36 billion per year and young people are particularly affected.

Recent research revealed nearly a quarter of new apprentices left work because of bullying.

John Bertrand AM, Chair of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, said the partnership made perfect sense given the synergies between the work of the Foundation and Mr and Mrs Panlock.

“Damian and Rae Panlock have done an extraordinary job in raising awareness of the impact of workforce bullying since the tragic death of Brodie, in 2006,” he said.

“Their experience, combined with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation’s work in delivering organisation-wide cultural change, will enable us to ensure young people don’t get exposed to violence in the workplace, an environment in which they should always feel safe.”

Damian Panlock said he was excited by the opportunity to join with a national organisation of the calibre of The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, which will help to further the work he and his wife have done to raise awareness of workplace bullying in Victoria.

“Brodie’s death was a tragic reminder of the serious consequences workplace bullying can have on victims, their families and the community,” he said.

“By working with The Alannah and Madeline Foundation, we hope to save more families the heartache that Rae and I suffered when we lost Brodie, and ensure that we can continue her legacy by protecting all young people from bullying and violence in the workplace.”

Victorian Attorney-General, Robert Clark, congratulated Damian and Rae Panlock and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation on the partnership.

“I have had the privilege of working with Damian and Rae Panlock to raise awareness about Brodie’s Law and the consequences of bullying through the Take A Stand Against Bullying campaign,” he said

“I know that Damian and Rae will bring enormous dedication and insight to the partnership, and I wish them and The Alannah and Madeline Foundation every success in this new initiative to tackle workplace bullying”.

The Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Bill Shorten, also welcomed the partnership.

“We want to make sure all Australian workplaces are safe, healthy and productive and to adopt a zero tolerance approach to bullying,” he said.

“Supporting workplace leaders to address bullying through prevention and early intervention, and enhancing their skills to deal with workplace bullying.”