Georgie Chapman (HR Legal Advisor): Why Mid-Sized CEOs Can’t Ignore Bullying & Stress

Click here for further information and the downloadable resources:https://criticalfewactionspodcast.com.au/GeorgieChapman2InformationIn this episode, I sit down with Georgie Chapman, HR Legal Advisor and Partner at HR Legal, to uncover why CEOs of mid-sized businesses (under $100M turnover) can’t afford to ignore workplace bullying and stress. With decades of experience advising companies on employment law, Georgie brings a refreshing perspective that balances legal obligations and pragmatism with genuine empathy for your team. If you’ve been searching for practical guidance on navigating the complexities of bullying complaints or preventing crippling workplace stress, this conversation is your roadmap.What you’ll learnProactive Bullying Prevention: The surprising financial and cultural costs of bullying—and simple steps to stop toxic behaviour in its tracks.Legal & Managerial Guidance: How to separate “reasonable management action” from bullying, and why clear documentation matters so much.Stress Intervention Strategies: Early warning signs of excessive stress and how leaders can support employees before it derails productivity.Cultivating a Healthier Culture: How to create open channels for complaints, feedback, and mental health support—plus the direct ROI of getting it right.Highlights00:00 Introduction to Bullying and Stress01:41 Defining Bullying in the Workplace03:33 Examples of Unreasonable Behavior07:58 Addressing Bullying Complaints12:37 Handling Bullying Informally and Formally31:10 Role of WorkSafe in Bullying Cases32:45 Avoiding Third-Party Interventions33:47 Handling Bullying with Contractors35:48 Union and Non-Union Worker Dynamics38:33 Vaccination and Workplace Bullying40:26 Fair Work Commission and Bullying Orders42:30 Resources for Dealing with Bullying44:55 Addressing Workplace Stress48:16 Supporting Employees with Stress57:00 Performance Management and Stress01:03:42 The #CriticalFewActions™ to improve your businessSUBSCRIBE & SHAREIf you found this conversation valuable, don’t forget to Subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, and share this episode with your peer business leaders. Your support helps us reach more CEOs who want to improve their organisation performance and its value, and it keeps the conversation going.Stay in the loop with show updates and exclusive content: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Georgie-Chapman-HRLegal-BullyingDownload the Episode Summary & Georgie’s Contact Details: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Georgie-Chapman-HRLegal-BullyingSponsor: The CEO Masterclass in Strategic Planning and Implementation.Are you a business owner or CEO striving to elevate your business to new heights? But right now… you’re not hitting the targets or objectives your business needs to achieve.Or maybe you’ve hit a roadblock you can’t move past—a major challenge with no clear solution; and there’s no one in your world you can talk to about it.I get it. Running a business at the top level can feel like you’re isolated. You’re expected to have all the answers—but what if you don’t?  The truth is, at our level, our role isn’t to have all the answers ourselves—it’s to find the right people who do. People who have faced these obstacles before and have the real-world experience to guide you and your team forward.That’s why I created the CEO Masterclass—a 12-month, Deakin University MBA-accredited program designed exclusively for business owners and CEOs who are serious about transforming their businesses.With 30+ years in business, working with hundreds of companies from $1 million to $100+ million turnover across three continents, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges leaders face—and I’ve helped them break through and achieve real results.This isn’t another generic leadership course. It’s a highly focused, small-group program where you’ll work alongside your peers, on your business, break through barriers, and implement real-world strategies—not just to solve the problems holding your business back, but to accelerate your growth faster than you thought possible.FInd out more here: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/ceo-masterclass-book-a-call-with-john/Follow me on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=jdownesGet access to exclusive #CriticalFewActions™ content here: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Oh, and listening to Georgie’s experiences reminded me of how critical it is to look beneath the surface of day-to-day operations. A single incident of unchecked bullying or unaddressed stress can quickly escalate into a full-blown crisis—yet it’s entirely preventable with the right policies, empathy, and culture in place. Thanks for tuning in, and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on these vital, often overlooked topics.