Bullying and Harassment

Question 1

What is bullying?

Answer 1

• Unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either:
  > Offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting
  > An abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates or causes physical/emotional harm to someone

Question 2

When does bullying become harassment?

Answer 2

• When about any of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act:
  > Age
  > Disability
  > Gender reassignment
  > Race
  > Religion/belief
  > Sex
  > Sexual orientation

Question 3

What is someone who has bullied or harassed at work more likely to experience?

Answer 3

• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Inability to switch off from work
• Self-doubt, loss of confidence
• Feeling isolated
• Hyper-vigilance or need to constantly double-check work

Question 4

Consequences of bullying for organisations

Answer 4

• Higher turnover + increased sickness absence
• Lower productivity
• Potential costs of litigation + compensation
• Loss of public goodwill
• Reputational damage

Question 5

Barriers to formal anti-bullying policies and procedures working

Answer 5

• Placing onus on bullied individuals to formally report problem
• Reliance on formal complaints mechanisms
• Reluctance to impose formal sanctions
• Desire to avoid litigation or protracted formal proceedings

Question 6

What causes bystander apathy?

Answer 6

Diffusion of responsibility –> “someone else will step up”

Question 7

Options for intervening as a bystander

Answer 7

• Distraction
• Getting help
• Checking in later
• Directly intervening

Question 8

Dos and don’ts for dealing with someone who is bullied

Answer 8

• Do:
  > Make yourself known
  > Make eye contact
  > Ask if they want support
  > Move yourself near the person
  > Create distance/barrier between them and perpetrator
  > Take cues from them + follow their lead
• Don’t:
  > Escalate the situation further
  > Do nothing