Bullying in the workplace
There are many different definitions or descriptions of workplace bullying, though there is growing consensus on the most accepted inclusions in the definition.
Typically, bullying at work is regarded as repeated unreasonable behaviour, where the behaviours cause, or have the potential to cause harm (see Einarsen et al., 2003; Workcover NSW, 2008; Worksafe Victoria, 2003).
Sometimes a power imbalance between the individual involved is included in the definition. This power imbalance may be based on position in the organisation, experience, age, the length of time the person has been with the organisation, social position, or other factors that create a power difference between the person perpetrating the bullying behaviour and the person (or people) who are targeted by the bullying behaviour. However, power imbalance is more descriptive, than being an essential part of the definition of bullying, because power imbalances are likely to exist in some form or other in many interpersonal reactions. They are not specific or unique to bullying, so they are more use in describing, rather than defining, workplace bullying.
Many sources provide descriptions of some of the acts that could be considered to be bullying, if they also meet the criteria above. These include (but are not limited to):
- Undue public criticism
- Name calling, insults or intimidation
- Social or physical isolation (which might also include witholding information or preventing access to opportunities)
- Overwork (such as impossible deadlines, undue disruptions)
- Destabilisation or undermining behaviours (e.g., failure to give credit, assigning people meaningless tasks, setting people up to fail, reminding people of their mistakes, removing responsibility without cause)
- Yelling and shouting
- Spreading malicious rumors and gossiping
- Excessive, unjustified or unreasonable monitoring of work
- Repeated unreasonable assignment of duties which are obviously unfavourable to a particular individual
- Witholding or denying access to necessary information, consultation or other resources
Bullying is a systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction that jeopardizes your health, your career, the job you once loved. Bullying is a non-physical, non-homicidal form of violence and because it is violence and abusive, emotional harm frequently results. You may not be the first person to have noticed that you were bullied. Check to see how many of these indicators match yours.
Remember, you did not cause bullying to happen. We’ve broken down major reasons why bullies bully. The main reason bullying occurs so frequently in workplaces is that bullying is not yet illegal. Bullying is four times more common than either sexual harassment or racial discrimination.
