Workplace Contact Officer (WCO) Network

The WCO network is a group of staff who have volunteered and been trained as a point of contact for colleagues experiencing harassment, discrimination, bullying, victimisation or family violence. The network contributes to the Department's commitment to a respectful and equal opportunity workplace – one that strives towards everyone having the right to be treated with respect and a responsibility to act respectfully towards colleagues. The WCO network provides valuable support across the Department, contributing to a safe and productive workplace where staff are treated fairly and with respect.

Fundamental to a respectful workplace culture is an effective system to deal with concerns or issues of inappropriate behaviour. The WCO as a fellow staff member is a useful point of contact when employees want to know what they can do when they experience harassment, discrimination, bullying, victimisation or to understand what the Department can provide to support them if they are affected by family violence.

Any WCO in the network can be contacted for a confidential discussion and to seek information, and they can be contacted at any time during work hours. The flow chart below shows a useful way of using the support of a WCO as part of the available options.

 

How a WCO can assist you

A WCO can assist staff who have general enquiries or concerns about workplace conduct and/or family violence by:

  • providing information, guidance and support on options to resolve issues and explain choices to prevent issues before they reach escalation point
  • provide information, guidance and resources to assist with matters related to family violence
  • outlining Departmental policies, processes and principles
  • referring staff to the Department’s key support services, both internally and externally (e.g., Employee Assistance Program (EAP))
  • guiding them to explore other options, if they are not able to solve their issue or manage the situation (e.g., steps to take in formalising a complaint, or engaging formal resolution processes).

Seeking Assistance

WCOs are represented in central offices and the regions. Any WCO across the network can be contacted – they do not have to be from the same location or work group. A list of available Workplace Contact Officers is available under Contact and Other Information below.

Becoming a WCO

For further information, please contact the People and Culture unit by email:  people.matter@education.vic.gov.au

Contact and Other Information

  • Available Workplace Contact Officers (WORD)
  • Key support services available inside and outside the Department  (WORD)
  • WCO poster for display in DET workplaces (PDF)

Contact People and Culture by email: people.matter@education.vic.gov.au

Other Resources

Legislation

Related Topics

 Additional Information