Bullying & Harassment

What is Bullying & Harassment?

Though there is no legal definition of bullying & harassment in the UK, it is generally agreed that it is the use of strength to oppress, intimidate or coerce a person to do something.  Workplace bullying has been described as a need to displace aggression by making another person feel inadequate.  This pattern of mistreatment is achieved in a number of ways including criticism, isolation, fear, deception and humiliation.

Types of Bullying

Bullying can include a variety of formats that are physical, psychological, emotional, verbal and relational.  Some examples of workplace bullying can include:

• Imposing unreachable deadlines
• Taking credit for the work of others
• Overworking employees
• Failing to acknowledge good work
• Preventing access to opportunities
• Consistently illustrating past failures

Workplace bullies do not tend to take personal responsibility for their workplace performance.  Rather they seek to project their own inadequacies or their feelings of inadequacy onto others.  Bullying is an activity that can take place on a one to one or group basis.

What, specifically is Harassment?

Harassment can go hand in hand with bullying and can be defined as unwanted conduct towards an individual that intimidates, degrades, humiliates or offends them.  Such acts of hostility categorically threaten a person’s dignity and well being.

The Results of Bullying and Harassment

The results of bullying and harassment can cost companies millions each year in poor productivity, staff turnover, and high absence rates.  It is not difficult to understand why the targets of bullying are more likely to use sick time or take unauthorised absences.

Recognising the problem is the first step toward eliminating it.  It’s important to have a clear idea of who is absent and when their absences occur.  This can be easily achieved through our holiday and sickness planner.

Once you develop an understanding of emerging patterns of absence you can assess their cause and determine whether a bullying or harassment situation is occurring within your company.  In this way, you can prevent further absences and illustrate that your company cares about its employees and emotional well being.  Finally it will save you money and make the workplace more productive.

For more information on our Holiday Scheduler, contact MTIS today.