Workplace bullying - (QUESTIONS BELOW)
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/bullying/factsheets/workplace_bullying.html
This will be useful if...
· You're struggling at work, and feel threatened by other workers
· You want to know what workplace bullying might involve
· You or someone you know is being bullied at work
· You want to know what you can do about workplace bullying
What is workplace bullying?
Workplace bullying is verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by your employer (or manager), another person or group of people at work.
Workplace bullying can happen in any type of workplace, from offices to shops, cafes, restaurants, workshops, community groups and government organisations.
Workplace bullying can happen to volunteers, work experience students, interns, apprentices, casual and permanent employees.
Some types of workplace bullying are criminal offences. If you have experienced violence, assault and stalking you can report it directly to the police.
What does bullying in the workplace look like?
· repeated hurtful remarks or attacks, or making fun of your work or you as a person (including your family, sex, sexuality, gender identity, race or culture, education or economic background)
· sexual harassment, particularly stuff like unwelcome touching and sexually explicit comments and requests that make you uncomfortable
· excluding you or stopping you from working with people or taking part in activities that relates to your work
· playing mind games, ganging up on you, or other types of psychological harassment
· intimidation (making you feel less important and undervalued)
· giving you pointless tasks that have nothing to do with your job
· giving you impossible jobs that can't be done in the given time or with the resources provided
· deliberately changing your work hours or schedule to make it difficult for you
· deliberately holding back information you need for getting your work done properly
· pushing, shoving, tripping, grabbing you in the workplace
· attacking or threatening with equipment, knives, guns, clubs or any other type of object that can be turned into a weapon
· initiation or hazing - where you are made to do humiliating or inappropriate things in order to be accepted as part of the team.
How bullying can affect your work
If you are being bullied at work you might:
· be less active or successful
· be less confident in your work
· feel scared, stressed, anxious or depressed
· have your life outside of work affected, e.g. study, relationships
· want to stay away from work
· feel like you can’t trust your employer or the people who you work with
· lack confidence and happiness about yourself and your work
· have physical signs of stress like headaches, backaches, sleep problems
What is not workplace bullying
Some practices in the workplace may not seem fair but are not bullying.
Your employer is allowed to transfer, demote, discipline, counsel, retrench or sack you (as long as they are acting reasonably).
The prevalence of workplace bullying
Research conducted by Mellington found that as many as 70 per cent of employees were currently being bullied or had been bullied in the past; also, of the remaining sample, just over 13 per cent had witnessed workplace bullying. Of the number that had been bullied, 38 per cent indicated that the bullying activity had occurred for over six months.
Additional research findings released last month at the Labour Council of New South Wales launch reflect Mellington's findings. Its survey of 840 workers found that 74 per cent of respondents had been targeted by workplace bullying, 56 per cent of respondents indicated a bullying culture at their workplace, and 89 per cent wanted workplace policy and procedures to deal with the issue. In fact, bullying is believed by the Council to be the number one occupational health and safety issue in New South Wales.
What you need to know if you are being bullied at work
When you are being bullied it's important that you know there are things you can do and people who can help.
You have the right to be in a safe workplace free from violence, harassment and bullying.
Bullying and abuse
If you are under 16 years old, bullying and violence may also be child abuse. See the Lawstuff topic on child abuse under your state or territory for more information.http://www.lawstuff.org.au/lawstuff
Bullying and discrimination
Bullying may also be discrimination if it is because of your age, sex, pregnancy, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or certain other reasons. Sexual harassment and racial hatred are also against the law. For more information on what anti-discrimination laws cover, and what you can do about it, look at theAustralian Human Rights Commission page
Responsibility of employers
Your employer has a legal responsibility under Occupational Health and Safety and anti-discrimination law to provide a safe workplace. Employers have a duty of care for your health and wellbeing whilst at work. An employer that allows bullying to occur in the workplace is not meeting this responsibility.
Responsibility of bystanders
We all have a moral responsibility to help create a positive, safe workplace. If someone in your workplace is experiencing harassment or bullying, you can tell them about the steps they can take to solve it.
What you can do if you are being bullied at work
Make sure you're informed.Check to see if your workplace has a bullying policy and complaints procedure.
Keep a diary.Documenting everything that happens, including what you've done to try stopping it. This can help if you make a complaint.
Get support from someone you trust or contact support services.Even if you don’t know anyone you can talk to, there are support services which are immediately available to help and support you in the Get Help section. This includes contacting your union
Approach the bully.If you feel safe and confident, you can approach the person who is bullying you and tell them that their behaviour is unwanted and not acceptable. If you are unsure how to approach them, you might be able to get advice from an appointed contact person, or from a colleague or manager.
Tell someone at your work.Your workplace will usually have a process for making a complaint and resolving disputes, which might include a warning, requiring the bully to have counselling, a mediation process, or even firing the bully if the situation continues. The person to talk to might be your supervisor/manager, a harassment contact officer, or a health and safety representative (if your work has one).
Get information and advice.If the bullying is serious, if the situation has not changed after complaining to your manager, or if there is not anyone you can safely talk to at work you can get outside information and advice.
Using the links below you can contact:
· your workplace health and safety authority to get advice and report bullying incidents
· the Australian Human Rights Commission to get advice, or to make a complaint about discrimination, harassment and bullying covered by anti-discrimination law
· the union representing your industry who can give you advice on your options and your rights
· Lawstuff for legal information especially for young people
Make a formal complaintto the state and territory workplace health and safety authority or to the Australian Human Rights Commission, using the links below.
Getting Help
If you have made a complaint to your manager or others in your workplace and there have not been adequate steps taken to stop the bullying there are a number of options that you can take to get help.
When to contact the police
If bullying is violent or threatening it may be a criminal offense and you should contact the police immediately call000
Making a complaint about workplace bullying to the Australian Human Rights Commission
If you are been bullied, harassed or discriminated against because of your race, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion or because you have a disability or are pregnant you can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission. Call1300 656 419
http://www.humanrights.gov.au/complaints_information/young_people.html
The Commonwealth Fairwork Ombudsmancan provide information and advice about Australia’s workplace rights and rules and the protection you have against harassment and discrimination. Call 131394http://www.fairwork.gov.au/resources/best-practice-guides/Pages/a-guide-for-young-workers.aspx
Report bullying to a State or Territory work health and safety authority
Your boss has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. You can report bullying incidences to the following state and territory work health and safety authorities.
Victoria
Workplace Victoria can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying.http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/wsinternet/worksafe/home/safety+and+prevention/health+and+safety+topics/bullying
QUESTIONS
1. Which kind of employees can be affected by workplace bullying?
2. Which types of bullying might be considered criminal offences?
3. According to the research, how many people are or have been bullied?
4. Under what circumstances would you contact the Human Rights Commission?
5. Which organisation looks after bullying issues in Victoria?
6. What should bystanders (who are witnesses to bullying) do?
7. List three strategies form the article that you would use if you were being bullied at work.
8. Do employers have any responsibility to employees under the law?
9. Define workplace bullying.
10. List three things you can do if you are being bullied.
11. Who is able to do something about bullying in the workplace?
12. Give three examples of workplace bullying.
13. List three hurtful things that are not considered to be workplace bullying.
14. Which people might be interested in this article according to the authors?
15. What is the web address of this article?
16. What is the legal position on bullying?
17. How serious is bullying as an Occupational health and Safety issue according to the article?