Dive Jervis Bay is committed to providing an environment that is free of harassment and discrimination where staff, students, customers and visitors are treated with dignity, curtesy and respect as is their legal right.
Be aware that harassment is not limited to other workers, as we deal with everyone in the community, our workers, customers, visitors and even just other people are covered by our policy.
Harassment can include behaviour such as:
The law also has specific provisions relating to certain types of harassment.
In order to implement our Harassment Policy our staff must follow these guidelines on their behaviour.
1. Recognise their role and responsibility
Be aware of their supervisory role. As in most employment and educational settings, an instructor-student, or dive supervisor-diver relationship naturally includes the potential for taking advantage of a person in the dependent position. Understand that the person you teach or supervise is depending on you for that service. To make advances toward someone they are instructing, or supervising can easily be perceived as taking advantage of their position.
2. Limit Physical Touching
Only keep physical contact with divers that relate to safety, adequate control and reassurance. Where possible let others know what to expect. Also, direct students and customers to adjust their own gear and have buddies help each other, which helps them learn and reinforces teamwork while reducing the chance for unintentional unwanted contact by our staff. If this is not possible, if they do need to assist someone, where appropriate they should ask for permission.
3. Communicate Respectfully
Diving is a fun, social activity that encourages camaraderie. Keeping it light can put students and divers at ease and reduce potential anxiety. Be sure you know and respect the line of professionalism. Even casual, well-intentioned comments can potentially offend and cause anxiety that can carry into the dive. Some remarks are blatantly inappropriate, such as vulgarity or sexually themed jokes. Similarly, nonverbal communication can speak loudly.
A one-off incident can constitute harassment. All incidents of harassment require employers or the Dive Crew to respond quickly and appropriately.
If you are a staff member, customer or merely visiting and you feel that someone harasses you, or makes you feel uncomfortable you do not have to deal with it. Report it to one of the Dive Crew and that person will take action to make you safe. This may involve them being sent off their trip or course, isolated or in extreme cases ending the activity. Be aware that we will not tolerate inappropriate behaviour from anyone.
If you are a staff member and someone harasses you or makes you feel uncomfortable, discuss it with the management team in the first instance we will discuss with you at that time how you want to deal with it and ensure that your concerns are addressed.
Our general response to any harassment claim towards one of our staff will be investigation and if found or substantiated, dismissal. We are an inclusive workplace and believe that everyone has a right to work in a harassment free environment.
Morgan Andrews
Director / Manager, Dive Jervis Bay
Last Reviewed on 1 July 2020
1st Drafted January 2019.