A large Commonwealth department identified the need to strengthen shared behavioural expectations across its workforce. Formal policies and legislative obligations were well established, but staff feedback indicated variability in how workplace respect and courtesy were understood and applied in day-to-day interactions.
Leaders sought a practical, facilitated workshop that would reinforce standards without creating defensiveness, support early intervention, and clarify roles and reporting pathways. The objective was to build a common language, increase confidence in addressing inappropriate behaviour, and strengthen trust across teams — in an interactive, legally sound and behaviourally practical solution suitable for a geographically dispersed workforce.
What we delivered
Holan designed and facilitated a structured Workplace Respect & Courtesy Workshop aligned to Commonwealth legislative and behavioural frameworks, with a strong focus on practical application and participant engagement:
- Defining respect and courtesy — establishing a shared understanding of what respectful behaviour looks like in practice, linking it to team performance, psychological safety, service delivery and public trust.
- Legal foundations — a clear, accessible overview of the legislative and policy environment, positioning legal foundations as safeguards that protect fairness, professionalism and safe workplaces.
- Roles and responsibilities — clarifying accountability across all levels, from personal conduct and bystander responsibilities to leadership obligations to model and reinforce standards.
- Respect and courtesy in practice — facilitated scenarios reflecting real workplace dynamics, with simple tools and conversation frameworks to support respectful dialogue and early course correction.
- Support and reporting options — clear guidance on support mechanisms, informal resolution pathways and formal reporting, including confidentiality and procedural fairness.
- Reflection — each workshop concluded with facilitated reflection, key insights and practical commitments participants could apply immediately.
Outcome
The department established a clearer, shared understanding of respectful conduct and behavioural expectations. Participants reported greater confidence in addressing inappropriate behaviour early and navigating support pathways, and leaders gained practical language and tools to reinforce standards consistently. Importantly, the workshop reframed workplace respect and courtesy as a performance and leadership issue — not simply a compliance requirement — reinforcing the department’s role in maintaining trust, safety and professionalism across the public service.
Frequently asked questions
Are respect and courtesy workshops compliance-focused?
Our workshops are legally grounded but not compliance-heavy. They focus on practical behaviour, shared expectations and early intervention, while clearly outlining legislative obligations.
Who should attend Holan respect and courtesy workshops?
The workshop is suitable for all staff, including executives, managers and frontline teams. Content can be tailored to specific cohorts where required.
Can respect and courtesy workshops be adapted to our policies and context?
Yes. The workshop can be customised to reflect agency-specific policies, reporting structures, case studies and governance settings.
Is it suitable for virtual delivery?
Yes. The workshop can be delivered face-to-face, virtually, or in a blended format, ensuring accessibility across geographically dispersed teams.
How does this differ from traditional respectful workplace training?
This workshop emphasises facilitated dialogue, behavioural clarity and practical tools rather than passive content delivery, concentrating on culture and leadership.
