Commission releases Volume I Report of the Independent Review into Workplace Equality in Ambulance Victoria

“Today’s release of Volume I is the culmination of many months of listening to the voices of Ambulance Victoria’s past and present employees and first responders, without whom this Report would not have been possible,” said Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Ro Allen. “I want to acknowledge and thank every person who courageously came forward and trusted the Commission with their stories, experiences and perspectives, and to commend the Board and leadership of Ambulance Victoria for showing courage in requesting that the Commission undertake this independent and public review.”

Over the course of the Review, the Commission examined 1213 documents, conducted interviews with 255 people and spoke to many more staff across a series of focus groups, site-visits and observational shifts. 2163 people completed the Commission’s in-depth survey and 145 written submissions were received.

“Our review found that Ambulance Victoria has adopted and implemented a range of preventative measures designed to provide the organisation with a safe working environment,” said Commissioner Allen. “However the organisation’s approach to these issues is still maturing and does not currently fully comply with the Equal Opportunity Act. As a result, those preventative measures are not having their intended effect, as we have seen evidenced by the reported extent of the conduct that we heard about during the review.”

From the 2163 people who responded to the Commission’s survey, it was found that:

• 47.2% of survey respondents reported experiencing discrimination;
• 17.4% reported experiencing sexual harassment;
• 52.4% reported experiencing bullying; and
• 34.5% reported experiencing victimisation.

Incivility and other everyday forms of disrespect and everyday sexism were also widely reported, which, whilst not in themselves unlawful, can still cause harm and create an environment where more serious and widespread conduct can occur. The high number of participants who reported witnessing or later learning about discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and/or victimisation further reinforced the scale of this conduct within the organisation. These findings were echoed throughout written submissions and in the Commission’s focus groups and interviews.

“For many people, the impact of these experiences has been profound,” said Commissioner Allen. “The experiences detailed in this Report make for difficult, confronting reading. It is essential reading however, as every one of those stories deserves to be heard, and the nature and scale of the problems understood so that they can be addressed.”

Volume I of the Final Report contains 24 recommendations outlining reforms that the Commission has identified can be actioned immediately to begin addressing the pressing safety, respect and trust issues that have been identified during the Review. The recommendations include actions focused on improving safety and harm prevention, developing a victim-centred and fair reporting and complaints system, engaging the workforce in developing and committing to new organisational values, and strengthening the organisational structures required to implement reform..

“The Victorian community rightly hold Ambulance Victoria in high regard, due to the incredible dedication and care that so many of us have experienced from the service,” said Commissioner Allen. “It is vitally important that that same level of care be extended to all who work for Ambulance Victoria, and that those within the organisation treat each other with the same level of respect and compassion that they give to the community.”

“The work ahead of Ambulance Victoria will be hard and it won’t be finished tomorrow, but the consistent message we heard throughout the Review is the desire and determination of those within the organisation to make it a safer, more supportive and caring workplace,” said Commissioner Allen. “The commitment from Ambulance Victoria’s leadership at the outset of the review to implement our recommendations even before we had written them shows genuineness and should give cause for great hope, and the Commission will be there walking alongside the organisation at every step.”

Commissioner Allen also noted that they hoped the Review’s findings would prompt all organisations to reflect on their own positive duty to eliminate workplace harm. “The issues this report details with are not unique to Ambulance Victoria. I urge all Boards and CEOs to take an interest in these findings and ask themselves ‘what am I doing to make sure my workplace is safe, equal and inclusive?’

The second volume of the Commission’s Final Report of the Independent Review into Workplace Equality in Ambulance Victoria will be available in March 2022 and will detail findings and recommendations in relation to equality, fairness and inclusion within the organisation. The Commission will then work to support Ambulance Victoria to implement all recommendations before undertaking a further, independent audit in late 2023.

People who have experienced discrimination, sexual harassment or victimisation can contact the Commission’s Enquiry Line on 1300 292 153 for more information about their rights and how they can make a complaint. Current or past Ambulance Victoria employees, can contact the Commission using a dedicated number: 1300 395 726.

The full report can be accessed online.

Aram Hosie
Head of Strategic Communications
Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission
T: 0447 526 642 | E: aram.hosie@veohrc.vic.gov.au