Workplace Bullying can also occur at any level of a business, be it a CEO, Executive, Supervisor, Manager, workers, workgroups or whole departments. It is not gender nor age specific, however the longer it is left unaddressed, the more damaging the impact it has to the culture in the workplace.<\/p>\n
![\"Under](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_8775b23251364f41b68008d7c1423c17mv2-300x130.webp\")
<\/p>\n
There are two very distinctive features required to ensure your workplace is a healthy one.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Good Leadership (Leaders who role model the desired behaviours)<\/li>\n
- A workplace culture that embraces respectful and effective communication – (a focus on inclusion, acceptance and transparency)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
First though, we need to understand what is Workplace Bullying?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
According to the Australian Fair Work Commission definition, Workplace Bullying occurs:<\/p>\n
“When an individual or group of individuals repeatedly behaves unreasonably towards a worker or a group of workers at work,
\nAND<\/strong>
\nthe behaviour creates a risk to health and safety.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n![\"Caption](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_4cd7d41b5a8b42089f1f3c73e40d861dmv2-300x231.webp\")
<\/p>\nWhat are the Risks to Health and Safety?<\/h3>\n
The risks of workplace bullying have real and significant consequences to a person\u2019s physical and mental well-being.<\/p>\n
Individuals may experience a range of symptoms which include:<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_97837b29252643df94ed35442ccc9a9emv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Man](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_96dafa0c9f1344dd8fb783058e09f25dmv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Lady](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_135ecc82e502445f846f38c279826628mv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_adb3412c8f6c4714aa01701ca62e799amv2-1-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n- \n
- Anxiety<\/li>\n
- Insomnia\/Sleeping difficulties<\/li>\n
- Nausea<\/li>\n
- Depression<\/li>\n
- Fatigue<\/li>\n
- Panic Attacks<\/li>\n
- Musculoskeletal problems and muscle fatigue\/tension\/headaches.<\/li>\n
- Suicidal thoughts or tendencies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Lady](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_3781a34871924266af07226ac15b2effmv2-1-300x126.webp\")
<\/p>\nEqually the person may not present with any of the above symptoms, however may be exposed to repeated bullying that has long-lasting impact to their psychological health.<\/p>\n
![\"mental-health-sign\"](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_e97e72d4eb22454380ceae5db886ac15mv2-300x200.webp\")
<\/p>\nBullying can have long-lasting impacts to a person’s psychological well-being<\/em><\/p>\n
Whilst there can be obvious impact to the health and wellbeing of an individual, it also has impact to a business.<\/p>\n
What kind of impact to a business do I mean?<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Increased absenteeism<\/li>\n
- Potential claims against a business<\/li>\n
- Lost productivity<\/li>\n
- Poor workplace culture<\/li>\n
- Damage to the branding of an organisation<\/li>\n
- Lowered Morale<\/li>\n
- High Turnover Rates<\/li>\n
- Reduced trust and loyalty by the employee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Lady](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_fb12ef1ed6874281aa9bb8db031d71b8mv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Man](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_44117434f1904a799bedb6a4a30d70cemv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"Graph](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_c70d341a4e2f432c9bdaa11eede20be0mv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t![\"person](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_cacc8d3578d747da8a85b1671686eac8mv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\nPeople look carefully to the reviews of businesses to understand if that is a place they want to work or be a part of. Clearly a culture of workplace bullying isn’t a win\/win situation for anyone and has the very real potential effect of turning prospective employees away.<\/p>\n
What kind of workplace is your workplace?<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"Person](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_d96ab2cebcbc45bebc355819b8373ab3mv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/p>\n8 signs you are a part of a healthy workplace!<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Proactive approaches demonstrated by the business<\/strong> – Steps are taken to identify unreasonable behaviour early on and addressed.<\/li>\n
- Consultation is seen as key<\/strong> – Talking to workers and Health and Safety Representatives to find out what they say, to check how they feel and what they are observing. Situations increasing the risk for workplace bullying are identified. (Remember some types of workplace bullying are more overt or subtle<\/strong><\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
![\"workers-talking-together\"](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_ffb8dde30ecf4ec38496950263977778mv2-300x249.webp\")
<\/p>\nConsultation is critically important. Listen to your workers to truly understand<\/em><\/p>\n
3. Policy and Commitment<\/strong> – A Code of Conduct\/Workplace Bullying Policy is in place and easily accessible by all.<\/p>\n
4. Prevention and Support<\/strong> – An opportunity has been given to you to learn and develop your own knowledge and skills about Workplace Bullying\/Harassment. Your workplace clearly defines jobs and provides workers with the training, instruction and resources they need to carry out their job.<\/p>\n
5. Committed Leadership and good management practices<\/strong> – Reports are handled respectfully, quickly and effectively.<\/p>\n
6. A Workplace Culture<\/strong> exists that fosters and protects the psychological health of its workers.<\/p>\n
7. Effective communication<\/strong> strategies are implemented.<\/p>\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_4d66e1b975404803b0a5a8731b1177ccmv2-300x300.webp\")
<\/p>\nEffective and respectful communication strategies are important for good workplace culture.<\/em><\/p>\n
8. Good Management Practices<\/strong> that foster productive and respectful workplace relationships.<\/p>\n
How does your workplace measure up?<\/h3>\n
Even in 2021, Workplace Bullying remains one of the leading causes of work-related mental stress. We can all do our part to help by focussing on change.<\/strong><\/p>\n
What does Workplace Bullying look like? (And what it’s not)<\/h3>\n
It may include (this is not exhaustive):<\/p>\n
- \n
- intimidation, coercion, threats, humiliation, shouting, sarcasm, victimisation, terrorising, singling-out, malicious pranks, physical abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, belittling, bad faith, harassment, conspiracy to harm, ganging-up, isolation, freezing-out, ostracism, innuendo, rumour-mongering, disrespect, mobbing, mocking, victim-blaming and discrimination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
That’s some list!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s look at some examples of these behaviours. Some of these have been shared with me from people’s real life experiences in workplaces.<\/p>\n
Aggressive and Intimidating conduct<\/h3>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- A worker is yelling and swearing at a co-worker<\/li>\n
- A manager is in a fit of rage and shaking fists at a worker\/pounding the table<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Angry](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_38d9cb41d60b47f891f66e7f0698b4damv2-300x200.webp\")
<\/p>\nBelittling or humiliating comments<\/h3>\n
Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A co-worker refers to a co-worker as a ‘witch’ repeatedly and consistently in front of her peers. (this happened to a lady who considered herself a spiritual person).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_adb3412c8f6c4714aa01701ca62e799amv2-1-1-300x200.webp\")
<\/p>\nVictimisation<\/h3>\n
Example:<\/p>\n
- \n
- You make a complaint to your workplace about discrimination and you are denied a promotion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Spreading Malicious rumours<\/h3>\n
Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Emailing, texting or spreading malicious rumours through social media about a worker. Cyber-bullying in particular, is on the rise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Practical Jokes or Initiation<\/h3>\n
Example:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- In a sheet metal workshop, the new apprentice is hung up on the paint line and sent around the factory as an initiation into the team (sadly this kind of behaviour occurred with regularity in the 80’s – he was hung up by his belt, the belt broke and fell from the line landing directly on his head).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Exclusion from work-related or work events<\/h3>\n
Example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n
- \n
- A worker being given the wrong meeting times or not invited to required meetings\/a worker being deliberately excluded from work events.<\/li>\n
- It could also be a case of people standing up consistently to leave a room when a worker enters the room, essentially ostracising them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Unreasonable work expectations<\/h3>\n
Example<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Providing a worker consistently with urgent, lengthy projects at the end day when about to leave the office. (setting impossible deadlines).<\/li>\n
- Being singled out for not consistently doing overtime every day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Pressures](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_ba6c408f465d46729a8b0e920c82d298mv2-300x271.webp\")
<\/p>\nWhen is it not Workplace Bullying?<\/h3>\n
Not every situation will be related to Workplace Bullying. If reasonable management action is taken then it is not considered bullying. I emphasise the word ‘reasonable<\/strong><\/em>‘ here.
\nSome examples of reasonable management action includes: (again this is not exhaustive)<\/p>\n- \n
- Hosting performance management conversations. These should be respectful, supportive and constructive.<\/li>\n
- Implementation of organisational changes or restructures (which may involve redundancy)<\/li>\n
- Successful applicants are selected through a merit based recruitment process.<\/li>\n
- Fair and reasonable allocation of working hours and rostering system.<\/li>\n
- Work expectations meet the job description.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
We all have responsibilities in terms of safety at work. It is everyone’s responsibility<\/strong><\/em> to be involved and help.<\/p>\n
Do YOUR<\/em> part and report Workplace Bullying to keep your workplace healthy.<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"People](\"https:\/\/fasttrainingaustralia.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/5f52ca_a057778f08a5437db7c2cb61c4beecdamv2-300x200.webp\")
<\/p>\nWant to do a check on just how healthy your workplace is? HeadsUp<\/a> have a range of wonderful resources to support leaders, managers, employees, employers and small businesses.<\/p>\n
- In a sheet metal workshop, the new apprentice is hung up on the paint line and sent around the factory as an initiation into the team (sadly this kind of behaviour occurred with regularity in the 80’s – he was hung up by his belt, the belt broke and fell from the line landing directly on his head).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Emailing, texting or spreading malicious rumours through social media about a worker. Cyber-bullying in particular, is on the rise.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- You make a complaint to your workplace about discrimination and you are denied a promotion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- A co-worker refers to a co-worker as a ‘witch’ repeatedly and consistently in front of her peers. (this happened to a lady who considered herself a spiritual person).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Consultation is seen as key<\/strong> – Talking to workers and Health and Safety Representatives to find out what they say, to check how they feel and what they are observing. Situations increasing the risk for workplace bullying are identified. (Remember some types of workplace bullying are more overt or subtle<\/strong><\/em>)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
- Proactive approaches demonstrated by the business<\/strong> – Steps are taken to identify unreasonable behaviour early on and addressed.<\/li>\n