Workplace bullying and harassment
Workplace bullying is not much different from School bullying. It is the persistent mistreatment from other people causing the victim harm, physically or emotionally. These can include:
- Verbal and Non-Verbal abuse
- Psychological abuse – this can be seen as emotional or mental abuse where a person subjects another in behaviour resulting in Psychological trauma causing anxiety, depression and PTSD
- Physical Abuse
- Humiliation spreading rumours, picking on and undermining someone
It is difficult to identify this type of workplace aggression as unlike in schools, workplace bullies operate within established policies and rules of the company they work for. Most reports that have been made following bullying in the workplace has been that of a person in authority. The bullying can be covert or overt and missed by superiors but known by many within the company that it is taking place. Continued abuse can result in low employee morale and this negative effect will ultimately change how people work within the organization.
Everyone should be treated with dignity and respect. Bullying is not against the law but in a workplace harassment is. This is when unwanted behaviour is related to one of the following categories.
- Gender
- Sex
- Disability
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity or paternity leave
- Race and Religious beliefs
- Sexual orientation
- Age
If an employee feels they are being discriminated against or bullied/harassed due to one of these categories, they should speak to their Line manager, HR department or a Trade Union Representative. Should the employee still feel they are being harassed/bullied; a formal complaint must be made using the companies’ grievance procedure.