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Bullying at work - a guide for members and managers
Bullying at work is any form of behaviour which is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting or is an abuse or misuse of power intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure individuals or groups.
Bullying leads to stress and then to illness and behavioural problems if prolonged. A very high proportion of people subjected to bullying change their job as a result.
Bullying is widespread at work. According to the Chartered Managers Institute it is on the increase.
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Forms of bullying
Bullying can take many forms:
- direct verbal and physical threats
- unfair use of disciplinary and assessment procedures
- blocking access to promotion, training, overtime, etc.
- setting impossible deadlines and targets
- withholding information essential to do the job properly
- excessively tight supervision
- public humiliation including being shouted at
- persistent and undue criticism including inaccurate accusations about quality of work
- undermining responsibility
- abusive references to age, sex, race, disability or other personal characteristics
- spreading malicious rumours
- physical isolation from other workers.
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What to do if you are being bullied
If you feel you are being singled out or bullied at work, you should not have to put up with it. There are steps you can take.
- First, speak to the bully. A direct approach is usually the best. Tell the person that you find their behaviour unacceptable and ask them to stop. This is sometimes all that is needed. Bullies do not like being confronted particularly by someone who is calm and civilised.
- The majority of bullying goes on behind closed doors. So tell a friend or work colleague. You may well find out you are not the only one who has suffered. It is important that you do not try to cope on your own. Do not suffer in silence - it solves nothing.
- If you are in the union contact a local union rep and tell them what has been happening. This will be in confidence and does not mean that a formal complaint will automatically be made. A union rep will only do what you want them to and will give you the advice and support you need. They will want to have the bullying stopped quietly and quickly and can go with you to speak to the bully, or see them on your behalf. The union rep will also help you with a formal complaint, if it goes that far, giving advice and support throughout the procedure.
- If you are not in the union join...You have every right to do so. You do not have to tell your employer, but if they find out, it is illegal for them to sack you or to cause you detriment. The union will listen to you and ensure you have the best advice. The union can give you free legal advice, support you, put you in touch with support groups and approach the employer on your behalf.
- Keep a diary. This will give a vital record of the nature of the bullying and when it occurred. It will be important when the bully is confronted. Many of the incidents may appear trivial in isolation so it is important to establish a pattern over a period of time.
- Tell your manager or supervisor. If it is one of them who is bullying you, go and tell their manager. Take your diary with you to back up what you have to say and make sure you are accompanied by a union rep. They may not believe you but you have at least told them there is a bullying problem. The more people that know, the more difficult it is for the bully to flourish.
- In the end you may have to make a formal complaint and go through the grievance procedure. If you do take this route, never go to a meeting connected with the complaint without your union rep as a witness.
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More information on workplace bullying
If you are an employee or manager who wants to find out more about how to deal with workplace bullying you can download the following guides here:
The following links may also be useful:
- ACAS website with downloadable guides for managers and employees
- Andrea Adams Trust website for UK workplace bullying charity
- National Ban Bullying at Work Day website
- TUC Know Your Rights website
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