Bullying in the workplace is identified as repeated acts or verbal comments intended to intimidate, offend, degrade, hurt or humiliate a individual or group of people either mentally or physically.  Usually there is an assertion of power from those who bully, onto their victims.

Some examples could include spreading malicious rumours or gossip, excluding one socially, intimidating, undermining or impeding one’s work, threatening or carrying out physical abuse, removing responsibility without cause, setting up a person to fail with impossible deadlines, constant changing of working guidelines or withholding necessary information or misinformation.  Using language, tone or jokes that are offensive, invading ones privacy, tampering with work equipment, criticism and undue punishment … unfortunately, the list goes on.

Strategies to foster a supportive workplace are important to nip these behaviours for the benefit of all involved with the company.  Empower your team to treat each other with respect, and educate them to know what your workplace policy is, and the repercussions for this detrimental behaviour.  Do not ignore problems or delay in their resolution.

If you have these types of behaviour problems in your workplace, or want to avoid them altogether, perhaps a learning session on this subject will be an important preventative measure.