Team of special investigators is being prepared that would target more than over 40,000 Victorian workplaces to get rid of workplace bullies. This step has been taken after suicide death of 19-year-old cafe worker Brodie Panlock in September 2006.

WorkSafe inspectors will conduct snap inspections on workplaces according to this initiative. Ms. Panlock jumped from the fourth floor of a car park in Hawthorn following long-term physical and mental harassment at the café. She had worked for 16 months and died after three days in hospital because of severe injuries.

Premier John Brumby termed workplace bullies as low grade cowards who would not be accepted. He said, “Like any parent I want to know that we have safe and secure workplaces. Like most parents, I found the case of Brodie Panlock very distressing. Respect at Work is all about helping young and vulnerable Victorians tackle workplace bullying”.

On Monday in a Melbourne Magistrates Court’s verdict, three of Ms Panlock's workmates Smallwood, 26, of Queensland, Rhys MacAlpine, 28, of Kooyong, and Gabriel Toomey, 23, and the owner of Cafe Vamp in the Melbourne Marc Luis Da Cruz were convicted and fined a total of $335,000.