Bullying in the Workplace is a real and growing problem throughout many environments and generations. It is not by any means limited to school. In fact, bullying in the workplace has been more common than you would think. Whether it is a supervisor singling out an employee to punish for something they did or an office full of employees engaging in prolonged pranks on a coworker and ignoring their contributions on a particular project, workplace bullying has become more common than many people think. There is no doubt about it: bullying in the workplace can lead to serious consequences for those being bullied, and it has even led to cases of murder.
Bullying in the Workplace can have serious repercussions for the victim as well as the bully.
Bullying can lower a person’s self-esteem significantly and cause severe stress and strain. Not only that, but it can also lead to physical and mental health complications. It can also have long-term effects on well-being, leading to higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression as well as poorer performance at work. Bullying behaviour is very damaging to a company’s reputation and can have an impact on its bottom line.
Let’s look at the reasons why workplace bullying can have such devastating consequences.
Bullying behaviour in the workplace is generally considered to be organised around three key strategies. The first is to create a sense of authority and dominance. This usually starts out with a simple teasing, which is then escalated into more vicious behaviour over time. The target is the one being bullied, and any sign of resistance can only fuel further aggression and increase the intensity of the reaction from the target.
The second strategy is to create a more personal relationship with the target. This usually begins with a malicious taunt which is then escalated into more severe bullying behaviour. The third and most common strategy is to isolate and threaten the target using physical, verbal or psychological abuse. The victim is either ignored or made to feel guilty for even the slightest provocation, which further fuels the escalation of the behaviour. In the end, the victim may well find that the bullying has had a significant and negative impact on their personal life and career.
Bullying in the Workplace is not acceptable.
It is illegal and constitutes harassment. There are several ways in which the behaviour can be stopped. One method is to implement a zero tolerance policy, which means that if you witness or observe anyone engaged in this behaviour you should report them immediately to the employer, in a polite manner, and without reference to others. If they continue their behaviour then you should refer the matter to your supervisor.
Another way in which bullying in the workplace can be addressed is by instituting an anti-harassment policy. You need to have some guidelines and rules to ensure that everyone at all levels of the business is aware that harassment and other types of inappropriate conduct are not tolerated. Anti-harassment policies should detail what should be expected of customers and employees, and there should be clear communication about this harassment policy with all parties involved. Everyone in the workplace must also be knowledgeable about this policy, so that if this behavior does occur, there is no confusion about what to do. In addition to addressing the harassment issue, this policy will also address any issues regarding other types of inappropriate behaviour such as racism and sexism, because these too are forms of discrimination.
The most important thing about dealing with acas bullying in the workplace is to be consistent. This is particularly important in terms of reporting any incidents that have occurred. If one or more incidents of harassment has been reported, it is essential to handle the situation professionally and to ensure that you report the person or people responsible for the behaviour. If other employees confirm that they have encountered this problem in the work place, then you should all work together to set up some sort of meeting to deal with it, including timescales.
In the vast majority of cases, if the bullying in the workplace has resulted in a dismissal or other form of unfair dismissal, it will almost always be in your best interest to take action. You may find that your employer is prepared to make an exception for you if you ask them for one. You should never be afraid to approach your employer about the issue of bullying in the workplace, even anonymously. If you feel that you have been unfairly dismissed or are being made uncomfortable in any way, then it is in your interests to take action. You can seek advice from an employment law solicitor who will advise you on the legalities of taking further action.
