Bullying....

• What is Bullying?


Workplace bullying is when you are verbally, physically, socially or psychologically hurt by your employer (or manager), another person or group of people at work.

• What is the difference between having fun and Bullying?

Even if you think you are only having a laugh the person you are joking around with may not see it as that and feel as though they are being bullied.

• What are typical things that a person would do to bully someone?

Verbally abuse them about sexuality, gender, race, religion.

• What sort of person bullies?

Like bullying at school or other places, people who bully others at work often have low self-esteem or have been a victim of violence themselves. They use bullying as a way of making themselves feel more powerful.

• What should you do if you are the victim of Bullying?

Make sure you're informed - find out what the organisation's policies and procedures are for preventing and handling bullying.

Keep a diary documenting everything that happens, including what you've done to try stopping it. This can help if you make a complaint.

• How can Bullying affect you?

    be less productive
    be less confident in your work
    feel scared, stressed, anxious or depressed
    have your life outside of work affected, e.g. study, relationships
    want to stay away from work (more than usual)
    feel unable to trust your employer or the people you work with
    lack confidence and self-esteem in yourself and your work
    have physical symptoms of stress such as headaches, backaches, sleep problems

• What are your rights?

Everyone has the right to work in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.

Employers and employees have duties by law (eg Occupational Health and Safety Acts) to promote health and safety within the workplace and not to put themselves or their colleagues at risk.

It's also worth keeping in mind that bullying is not the same as conflict. Disagreement and conflict happens at most workplaces, however it should never turn into bullying or harassment.