Bullying typically involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behavior that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a specific person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression. Bullying is typically seen as actions or verbal comments that could psychologically or ""mentally"" hurt or isolate a person in the workplace, though it can occasionally also involve negative physical contact.
Is bullying a problem at work?
Yes, bullying is a workplace issue. In Canada, occupational health and safety laws include the concept of due diligence, which means that employers shall take all appropriate measures, under the particular circumstances, to prevent injuries or incidents in the workplace. Every person should be able to work in a safe and healthy environment.
Which behaviors constitute bullying?
There is no way to predict who may be the bully or the target, and while bullying is a form of aggression, the actions can be both overt and covert. The following is not a checklist, and it does not mention all forms of bullying. This list is included as a way of showing some of the ways bullying may happen in a workplace. Also keep in mind that bullying is typically considered to be a pattern of behavior where one or more incidents will help show that b
What could not be regarded as bullying?
Bullying can be very subtle and may become more obvious once a pattern of behavior is established, and many studies acknowledge that there is a """"fine line"""" between strong management and bullying.Comments that are objective and intended to provide constructive feedback are typically not considered bullying but instead are intended to assist the employee with their work.According to WorkSafeBC, b
How may bullying impact a person?
Bullying victims may experience a variety of reactions, such as: Shock; Anger; Feelings of Frustration and/or Helplessness; Increased Vulnerability; Loss of Confidence; Physical Symptoms; Loss of Appetite; Psychosomatic Symptoms; Stomach Pains; Headaches; Panic or Anxiety; Family Tension and Stress; Inability to Concentrate; Low Morale and Productivity.
What impact may bullying have at work?
An ""unhealthy"" workplace can have a variety of negative effects, including: increased absenteeism; increased turnover; increased stress; increased costs for employee assistance programs (EAPs), recruitment, etc.; increased risk for incidents; decreased productivity and motivation; decreased morale; reduced corporate image and customer confidence; and poor customer service.
Are there any laws in Canada that handle bullying at work?
In many jurisdictions, bullying is either defined separately or is included in the definition of behaviors linked to harassment or violence. For instance, the Workplace Harassment Regulations in Prince Edward Island define harassment as:(b) ""harassment"" means any inappropriate conduct, comment, display, action or gesture or any bullying that the person responsible for the conduct, comment, display, action or gesture knows, or ought to know, is being used against them.
What should you do if you believe you are a victim of bullying?
DOFirmly tell the person that his or her behavior is not acceptable and ask them to stop. You can ask a person you trust, such as a supervisor or union member, to be with you when you approach the person.Keep a factual journal or diary of events. Record: The date, time, and what happened in as much detail as possible.The names of witnesses.The outcome of the evnt. If you feel that you are being bullied, discriminated against, victimized, or subjecte (Adapted from: Violence in the Workplace Prevention Guide. CCOHS)
What actions can a boss take?
Since bullying is a form of violence and harassment in the workplace, employers may wish to write a comprehensive policy that covers a range of incidents (from bullying and harassment to physical violence). A workplace violence and harassment prevention program should: Be developed by management and employee representatives; (Adapted from: Violence in the Workplace Prevention Guide. CCOHS)
What basic advice would you give employees?
Encourage everyone in the workplace to treat others with respect and professionalism. Establish a workplace policy that includes a reporting system. Inform everyone that bullying is a serious issue. Try to come up with solutions before the situation becomes serious or ""out of control."" Inform everyone about what constitutes bullying and where they can turn for assistance. Treat all complaints seriously and handle them promptly and confidentially. Train employees on how to report complaints.""" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/
