Bullying

If a worker feels they’re being singled out for unfair treatment by a boss or colleague, they’re probably being bullied.  There’s no comprehensive list of bullying behaviours and no one type of person who’s likely to be a bully.  Bullying can be described as unfair, offensive, intimidating or insulting behaviour intended to undermine, humiliate or injure someone.

Examples of bullying behaviour include:

•  Constantly criticising competent staff, removing responsibilities from them, or giving them trivial tasks.

•  Shouting at staff.

•  Persistently picking on people in front of others or in private.

•  Blocking promotion.

•  Regularly and deliberately ignoring or excluding individuals from work activities.

•  Setting a person up to fail by overloading them with work or setting impossible deadlines.

•  Consistently attacking a member of staff on their professional or personal standing.

•  Regularly making jokes about the same person.

Symptoms of bullying include:

•  Anxiety

•  Headaches

•  Nausea

•  Ulcers

•  Sleeplessness

•  Skin rashes

•  Irritable bowel syndrome

•  High blood pressure

•  Tearfulness

•  Loss of self-confidence