Bullying in the workplace is repetitive and unreasonable behaviour that targets an employee or group of employees.
Bullying is a persistent and intentional health-harming behaviour. It creates a hostile work, school or online environment and can affect every aspect of a target’s life.
In general, bullying is characterised as an ongoing campaign to deliberately intimidate, induce fear, and cause distress. Often seen as a one-on-one interaction, it normally involves a triad of participants: perpetrators, targets, and bystanders (witnesses).
It may include threats, humiliation, harassment, discrimination, violence and other forms of victimisation. Moreover, this behaviour can be verbal or non-verbal.
Workplace bullying can lead to psychological and physical harm. Further, it can severely affect a company’s productivity, staff retention, employee wellbeing and business reputation.
All workers have a right to the highest practicable level of protection against harm to their health, psychological safety and wellbeing.
Having a framework in place can decrease disruption to work processes and the costs associated with workplace illnesses, absenteeism and presenteeism.
Being proactive and designing out problems before they arise is generally cheaper than making changes after the resulting event with costly litigation and damage to reputation.
You have the right to work in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence.
Your employer needs to be aware of their responsibilities to ensure your working environment or workplace culture is not sexually or racially hostile.
They should also develop and implement targeted practices to address inappropriate workplace behaviour and deal effectively with any complaint.
You have a responsibility to make sure your employees, and the people who apply for a job with you, are treated fairly.
This responsibility is set out in federal and state anti-discrimination laws, as well as in the Fair Work Act 2009. Various legislations make certain types of workplace behaviour against the law.
As an employer, you need to prevent bullying, harassment or discrimination from occurring in the workplace.
All levels
1-hour Toolbox Talk
Jessica’s Personal Journey with 3.5 years of workplace bullying
A glimpse of 21st century challenges that can cause harm including: Bullying, Harassment & toxic online behaviours
Explore the damaging effects of bullying
Physical, Psychological & Emotional Harm
The role of Bystanders vs Upstanders
Where to get help and support
All levels
3-hour Workshop
Introduction and Set Up
Management’s Commitment and Expectations
Making Bullying and Harassment–Personal, Relevant, and Important
What is Psychological Safety–Why is it important?
The Jessica Hickman Story + Case study
Our Challenge—Elevate Our Awareness of Emotional Safety
Key Challenges of the Future
Upstander vs Bystander
Upstander Pledge ™
All levels
1-day Workshop
Introduction and Set Up
Explore trends driving The Upstander Movement
Explore individual and team contributions to workplace culture
Decode the science behind the bystander effect
Explore The Upstander Effect™
Harness diversity and inclusion, demonstrating empathy, equality and ethics
Upstander vs Bystander
Upstander Pledge ™
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