Bullying and Harassment
Bullying and harassment can happen in any workplace and can take many forms. It essentially takes the form of an abuse of power by one worker over another worker. It can involve manipulation, coercion, mis-representation, violation of privacy and freedom within or outside of the workplace.
The abuse can come from both managers and the people they manage and frequently takes place ‘invisibly’ - without leaving an evidence trail or in front of witnesses. If unchecked it can adversely affect workers physical and particularly mental health and demoralise and diminish the performance of the workforce.
Verbal abuse or use of derogatory language, violence, discrimination, exclusion and isolation, defamation of character, harassment, plagiarism, and false allegations are some of the more prevalent forms of bullying. All direct, and indirect, discrimination is by definition a form of bullying.
Where bullying is institutionalised, when a culture exists which is tolerated at many or even all staffing levels, it constitutes a ‘whistleblowing’ issue.
Employers should have clear policies relating to the management of bullying and harassment in the workplace and they should take a zero tolerance approach to addressing it. Bullying should be considered a gross misconduct issue and employers should investigate such allegations accordingly.
If you’re being bullied or harassed at work, we’re here to listen. Join Employees United today to get immediate advice.
