VCAL Literacy

Similar to VCE English, VCAL Literacy students are asked to write a script and deliver an Oral Point of View on an issue to demonstrate their persuasive writing and speaking skills. 

VCAL is focused on transition to the workforce, so our topics were based on workplace related issues. 

Here are some samples of our VCAL students’ work:

 ‘Bullying in the Workplace’

A Speech

By Anthony Bortnick

VCAL

It’s an absolute disgrace to see people being bullied in the workplace and makes me sick. What did the victims do to deserve repeated bullying? Some people are forced to do jobs that they don't enjoy, just to support their family and themselves. Imagine getting bullied on top of that!

Bullying can seriously harm a worker’s mental health. Depression, psychological distress and emotional exhaustion are common outcomes for victims of workplace bullying. These health outcomes may impact the workplace with workers taking extended sick leave and being less productive. 

To show exactly how serious bullying is I would like to share Betty’s story:

Betty got a new job and she had a good relationship with the people at the office until the Operations Manager started her bullying tactics. The things that she experienced were abusive messages and social exclusion at work.

But things got even worse for Betty. The Operations Manager discredited and provoked her on a daily basis. She cried every night. The Operations Manager would arrive at work, greet everyone, but deliberately excluded Betty. The situation damaged Betty psychologically, and it manifested as physical pain in which she had difficulty breathing, her chest ached and she found it difficult to get out of bed.

Betty was put on antidepressants. The Operations Manager used this to make fun of her, calling her an "attention-seeker" and a "spoiled brat.” It got so bad Betty was hospitalised for three weeks. Who on earth would act in this disgusting way towards any person?

Eventually, the Operations Manager was fired the following month but has been using the office administrator to get at Betty, so the bullying continues... 

A truly confronting story, but sadly, all too often found in many Australian workplaces.

Here are some statistics for Workplace Bullying in Australia.

• 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men who claim for a mental disorder stated it involved workplace harassment or bullying.
• 37% of workers report being sworn or yelled at in the workplace.
• Almost 20% of workers say they have experienced discomfort due to inappropriate sexual humour.
• Mental disorder claims that are caused by harassment, bullying or exposure to violence: 39%
• Mental stress claims as a result from exposure to occupational violence: 15%
• Mental stress claims made by workers aged 20-27 years were from exposure to workplace violence: 26%
• Mental stress claims made by workers under 20 years were from exposure to workplace violence: 31%

I’m in complete shock that these statistics are true, and it makes me feel sick that people are continuing to harass vulnerable people in the workplace. Now that you can see how serious this topic is, I recommend to all of you that people who experience or witness bullying that contact one of the following for advice: a supervisor or manager; or an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Representative; or the Human Resources (HR) Department or your Workers Union. Keep a bullying log and gather evidence.

It is vital to take action against workplace Bullying NOW!

Anthony

 ‘Exploitation of Young Workers’

A Speech

 By Sebastian Velazquez

VCAL

The workplace related issue that I have chosen is Young Workers being underpaid and exploited by their employers. 

As a young worker and starting your first job, you are unsure of how you should be treated and what is right and what is wrong. Some employees take advantage of young workers and pay them less than they should, because the employee is unaware of how much they should be getting paid. 

Some young employees understand that they are being underpaid, but are scared to bring it up because they do not want to lose their job. 

Almost 60% of young people twenty and under, are earning less than the national minimum wage. This is a startling statistic and needs to be addressed.

An example of a young worker being underpaid is Kim Chibnall. She is a café waitress at a Café who should be earning at least $23.50 per hour on weekdays and more on weekends, however, she started on $17.70 per hour and has still not exceeded $20 an hour. Kim works weekdays, weekends and public holidays and should be receiving at least another $150 each week. This means that every year Kim is UNDERPAID $7800. Clearly this is wrong and needs to be addressed.

As a young adult, $7800 is vital to save for a car and meet other expenses that develop independence. 

In Conclusion we need to expose the employers who take advantage of young workers in our community... to allow a brighter future to our future employees and not deprive them of what they have earned.

Seb

  ‘Bullying in the Workplace’

A Speech

 By Tyler Bishop

VCAL

Bullying in the workplace is gradually reducing but still exists and is NOT ACCEPTABLE.

When people are bullied at work it can increase anxiety and depression; especially for some who may already struggle due to having been bullied prior to entering the workforce.

Workplace bullying could also lead to suicide, which happened in the case of a young girl called Brodie, a tragic example. In September 2006, 19 year old Brodie Panlock tragically took her own life after relentless, cruel bullying at work. We can all learn from this tragic story that we need to be respectful towards each other at all times and avoid or report workplace bullying..

Brodie’s law has raised awareness in Victoria about the serious nature of bullying and the very damaging consequences.

If you are being bullied, you must take action early to protect your own health and wellbeing.

Tyler.