Are you Being Bullied?

Bullying and harassment within the workplace is a serious issue that can have a detrimental impact on employees. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for employees to experience this type of behavior, particularly from managers or superiors who may use it as a means of asserting dominance. While it may be difficult to completely eliminate bullying and harassment from the workplace, there are steps that can be taken to reduce its impact and remove it from the work environment.

​

One of the key things to consider when determining if a situation is bullying or harassment is whether the behavior meets the four factors generally identified in bullying situations:

​

1. the action is deliberate,

2. the bully uses power in the employment relationship,

3. the actions are repeated over time, and

4. the behavior causes harm to the victim. ​

It is important to note that not all actions that may appear to be bullying or harassment actually fit this criteria, such as a one-off incident or a difference in opinion.

​

If an employee feels that they are being bullied or harassed, the first decision to make is whether they want to try to fix the problem or remove themselves from the situation. If the perpetrator is a manager or superior in a large organization, there may be a chance to resolve the issue. However, if the perpetrator is the business owner or a member of their family in a small organization, it may be best to seek alternative employment and resign once secured.

​

There are various steps that can be taken to attempt to fix the problem, such as documenting the incident and communicating it to the manager or HR representative. If the problem is not resolved, the employee may have grounds for a personal grievance claim against their employer for bullying and/or harassment.

However, it is important to note that legal action can only be taken against the employer and not against another employee.

​

In summary, bullying and harassment within the workplace is a serious issue that can have a negative impact on employees. While it may be difficult to completely eliminate, there are steps that can be taken to reduce its impact and remove it from the work environment.

It is important to understand the criteria for determining if a situation is bullying or harassment and to seek appropriate action, whether it be resolving the issue or seeking alternative employment.