Complaints about discrimination, bullying and harassment

The RANZCP has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, bullying and harassment that sets out what is expected of people involved in College activities including trainees, supervisors and Directors of Training.  

In addition, the RANZCP Code of Ethics states that psychiatrists will ‘uphold the integrity of the profession’, which includes promoting ‘a professional environment with an ethos characterised by mutual respect, and free of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment’.  

Experiencing negative behaviour during training 

During training some people may experience behaviour that they don't like from the people around them. This behaviour may constitute discrimination, bullying or harassment that harms their wellbeing, work and personal life. 

More about what is considered discrimination bullying or harassment

If this happens to you, the College is committed to supporting you, whether you choose to make a formal complaint or not. 

We work to ensure that the complaints process is clear, timely and provides outcomes that reduce harm. 

You may also experience other forms of interpersonal difficulties in the workplace that is not discrimination, bullying and harassment but can also cause distress. Options outside the College complaints process may assist you, including speaking with your hospital coordinator of training, your Bi-national Committee for Trainees representative, or your Director of Training, or Association of Psychiatry Trainees. You can also contact the College using the Confidential Member Advice Line. 

What the College can do 

The College can act on discrimination, bullying and harassment complaints relating to: 

• conduct at Board or Committee meetings 
• College education and training programs. 

If you have experienced discrimination, bullying or harassment in the workplace that is not connected to a College activity, you may consider making a complaint through your employer, or the external bodies listed below. 

The College has limited investigative powers for issues that happen in the workplace. In dealing with any complaint, the College is limited to disciplinary powers, and not compensation or other remedies. 

The College works to ensure that all parties are treated fairly, and that there are not unduly harsh or unreasonable consequences of a complaint resolution. 

Where the matter relates to professional conduct the matter may be referred to the Membership Conduct Committee for consideration. 

Making a complaint to the RANZCP 

RANZCP Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Complaint Form

• You may lodge a complaint anonymously. Lodging an anonymous complaint may affect how your complaint is managed or resolved.  
• Your complaint will not be shared outside of the RANZCP without your consent, and will not be shared with your employer. 
• Complaints must be made in good faith, not be deliberately false, misleading or vexatious and must remain confidential throughout the process.  
• Information you provide in the form will be managed according to the College’s Privacy Policy.  

You can ask for confidential assistance in completing the form by by contacting legalservices@ranzcp.org.  

Complaints process 

1. Lodge complaint form with the College. 
2. Receive acknowledgement of receipt of your complaint. The complaints resolution process and available supports will be explained to you.
3. The College CEO, and/or delegate may contact you to ask for more information. They may also contact the respondent. 
4. With your consent, the respondent to the complaint will be provided with a de-identified copy of your complaint.  
5. Your complaint may be referred to a relevant College committee for consideration. In resolving the complaint, the committee will:  
   • take a non-adversarial, resolution-focussed approach  
   • provide natural justice and hear both accounts of the relevant events in a sensitive, non-prejudicial way 
   • be transparent with both the complainant and respondent and communicate with you during the process 
   • confidentially liaise with other College committees, where appropriate 
   • manage conflicts of interest following College guidelines.  
6. The relevant parent committee or Board will resolve the complaint and recommended actions.  
7. The College will communicate the outcomes with you and the respondent, and offer any support needed.  

RANZCP Discrimination, Bullying and Harassment Complaint Resolution procedure 

Possible outcomes of a complaint 

The College may take actions including making changes to: 

• a person’s training status  
• accreditation of training posts or positions  
• accreditation of hospitals or institutions  
• accreditation of supervisors  

The College may also:

• refer a matter to the RANZCP’s Membership Conduct Committee for consideration  
• refer to another body, including employer organisations, regulatory bodies such as the Medical Board of Australia or the Medical Council of New Zealand, or independent mediators.  

Support and safety during the complaints process 

The RANZCP works to ensure that making a complaint does not unfairly disadvantage you or your association with the College. 

Respondents to complaints must not victimise the complainant, or any other people involved in the complaint.  

Having the right supports in place during the complaints process is important. 

Please consider these options: 

• seek support from a trusted person, medical defence organisation, or legal representative 
• access resources on the RANZCP wellbeing support for members webpage
• use the RANZCP Member Support Program – the College’s EAP provider which is free for members and external from the College and your employer 
• have a confidential discussion with the College using the Confidential Member Advice Line call back service available during weekdays.  
• Find a psychiatrist who can provide mental health treatment for trainees and psychiatrists 
• use The Essential Network for Health Professionals for discreet and convenient support options.

External bodies 

Beyond the College, complaints can also be lodged with a relevant external body: 

• In Australia, the Human Rights Commission, the Fair Work Commission, or the relevant WorkSafe body in your Australian state or territory
• In New Zealand, the Human Rights Commission, Employment New Zealand, or WorkSafe.