I go for a walk most mornings. I call it my "half hour of sanity" before the rush of the day begins. I am a creature of habit so I have a 'standard' walk that I take which involves going over a bridge over water. Lately I have been stopping to enjoy the sun rise while standing on the bridge. Recently, as I was on my 'standard' walk enjoying the sunrise I got to 'enjoy' another site.

As one enters the bridge there is a sign stating "cyclists dismount, penalty $150". My observation has been that typically cyclists do not 'dismount' and instead continue to ride across the bridge. On this particular morning there was a young man fishing near the bridge. As some cyclists rode onto the bridge he shouted out, "come on, get off your bike, you've read the sign, cyclists dismount, go on, off you get, you've heard me, get off your bike".

I noticed several different responses from the cyclists riding past. Out of the 4 cyclists who heard him, one got off her bike and walked her bike across, mumbling as she went, "I don't need the guilt this time of day". Another cyclist rode past with a smile on his face and two cyclists seemed mildly annoyed at him for his comments.

I work with organisations to help them see the importance of knowing, understanding and embracing the equal opportunity principles of fairness, equality, and an environment free of harassment and bullying. Managers and supervisors are the ones whose job it is to tell other employees to "get off their bike" in the workplace and read, understand and follow the Equal Opportunity Laws. Employees too have a responsibility. To read the 'sign', understand what it means and the consequences of not following it and then follow it.

In the work places I see, managers often don't know what the law is themselves, they don't want to or are sick of telling their employees to "get off their bike" and don't apply this command consistently. Employees act like they can't read, and if they can read then read the sign and do what they want anyone, often oblivious to the consequences of their actions.

What is it like in your work place? Are your manager's knowledgeable, good role models and active in consistently enforcing the "get of your bike" law? Or do your managers lack some of the skills and courage it takes to be a manager; are they the ones in staff surveys who "don't walk the talk"?

What is the health of your workplace?