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Bullying is a serious problem in workplaces across Australia and a risk factor for anxiety, depression and suicide.
Workplace bullying is verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by your employer, another person or group of people at work. Workplace bullying can occur in any kind of workplace, from offices to shops, restaurants, cafes, workshops, community groups and government organisations.
Workplace bullying can happen to volunteers, work experience students, interns, apprentices, casual and permanent employees. Some types of workplace bullying are criminal offences.
Workplace bullying doesn't simply hurt those involved. The wider workplace also feels the impacts through lost efficiency, increased absenteeism, poor morale, and time spent documenting, pursuing or defending claims.
The most effective way to stamp out bullying is to stop it before it starts. This implies making a strong, consistent approach to prevent improper behaviour from escalating, and a positive, respectful work culture where bullying is not tolerated.
Examples of workplace bullying behaviour include:
- abusive, annoying or offensive language or comments (including belittling, demeaning or patronising someone, especially in front of others)
- retaining information, supervision, consultation, training or resources deliberately to prevent someone carrying out their responsibility.
- setting unreasonable timelines or constantly changing deadlines.
- unjustified criticism or complaints.
- singling someone out and treating them differently from others.
- humiliating, shouting at or threatening somebody.
- spreading false information or malicious rumours.
- changing work arrangements, for example, rosters and leave, to deliberately inconvenience someone.
- excluding someone from participating in activities that relate to their work.
- refusal to acknowledge contributions and achievements.
- playing mind games, ganging up or other psychological harassment.
- initiation or hazing – where someone is made to do humiliating or improper things,teasing or playing practical jokes.
- refusing annual leave, sick leave, and particularly compassionate leave without reasonable grounds.
Here are the factors that can increase the risk of workplace bullying. - Work stressors
High job demands, restricted job control, organisational change, role conflict, job insecurity, tolerating unreasonable behaviour or a lack of behavioural standards, unreasonable expectations of clients or customers. - Leadership styles
A strict and directive leadership approach that does not enable employees to be involved in decision making. Little or no guidance provided to employees, or responsibilities are improperly and informally delegated. - Systems of work
Absence of resources, lack of training, poorly designed rostering, unreasonable performance measures or time frames. - Work connections
Poor communication, lack of support or conflict between employees. - Workforce characteristics
Some groups of employees are more at risk of being exposed to workplace bullying including: young employees, casual employees, new employees, apprentices/trainees, injured employees and employees on return to work plans, employees in a minority group because of ethnicity, religion, disability, gender or sexual preferences.
So, if you are being bullied at work and need support, special workshops and confidential coaching programs can help to prevent Workplace Bullying in Australia and appropriately investigate any complaints that are made.
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