What is bullying?
Workplace bullying can be defined as: “The repeated less favourable treatment of a person by another or others in the workplace, which may be considered unreasonable and inappropriate workplace practice. It includes behaviour that intimidates, offends, degrades or humiliates a worker.”
Bullying is often mistaken for harassment and while the effects may be similar, one of the key differences is that in order for behaviour to be considered “bullying”, it needs to be repeated.
Examples of bullying behaviour include but are not limited to:
- Physical or verbal abuse
- Exclusion or isolation of employees
- Intimidation
- Assigning meaningless or impossible tasks
- Psychological harassment
- Deliberate alteration of work conditions to disadvantage employees
- Offensive language.
Costs of workplace bullying
Bullying can result in significant costs to business through increased absenteeism, staff turnover and decreased morale. Productivity may also be affected as well as the time and money expended on managing claims and/or defending them through litigation.
It is critical employers understand their rights and obligations in connection with bullying and the Federal Government has released draft guidance material to assist employers. The Government is asking interested parties to file submissions by 9 March 2009 in relation its content. Comments about proposed Workplace Bullying can be made at the Comcare website. Go to http://www.comcare.gov.au/news__and__media/news_listing/comcare_seeks_comments_on_proposed_workplace_bullying_guidance
Members with queries regarding their obligations on workplace bullying should contact ARA Employment Relations on 1300 368 041 or by email on employmentrelations@retail.org.au.
