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Pushing, swearing, sexist & racist abuse: Is this Australia's worst boss?

A man in a suit aggressively pointing towards the camera.
Image: Getty

A Melbourne business and its director have been convicted of repeatedly bullying workers.

Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court heard that WorkSafe was called out to Monjon (Australia) Pty Ltd in October 2015 after director John Bernard Moncrieff pushed a staff member along a corridor in front of other employees.

In a later incident, Moncrieff was accused of physically blocking an employee from leaving the office until she promised she wouldn't resign as a result of the first incident.

The two incidents prompted a WorkSafe investigation, which found Moncrieff formed "a culture of entrenched bullying" in the workplace.

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The court heard that the director made "sexually suggestive" comments towards his staff and threatened to hold back wages, as well as making inappropriate contact with some employees.

Moncrieff "encouraged" an atmosphere of managers speaking aggressively towards subordinates, with himself yelling, swearing and using sexist and racist descriptions of staff.

The company and the director both pleaded guilty on Friday of not providing a safe work environment. Moncrieff was personally fined $19,250 while Monjon copped a penalty of $97,000.

"Bullying can have long term health effects on workers that are every bit as serious as those sustained from physical injuries and WorkSafe will not tolerate behaviour of this nature," said WorkSafe Victoria executive director Julie Nielsen.

"Under no circumstances is it acceptable for managers or directors to abuse their position of power by acting aggressively or inappropriately towards employees."

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The best minds in business, government, academia and entrepreneurship will come together to examine the most critical issues facing Australia at Yahoo Finance's All Markets Summit. Join us for this groundbreaking event.
The best minds in business, government, academia and entrepreneurship will come together to examine the most critical issues facing Australia at Yahoo Finance's All Markets Summit. Join us for this groundbreaking event.