| No matter how hard you try, you can't get along | | | | in the workplace, (particularly if it involves physical |
| with everyone. A 'personality clash' with a work | | | | or witnessed verbal abuse) the matter has to be |
| colleague or even just someone else's idea of 'a | | | | taken seriously and dealt with quickly. |
| bit of fun' can quickly escalate into a situation that | | | | Taking it further It can be frightening to pursue a |
| can result in one person feeling victimised. So | | | | harassment or discrimination case at work - you |
| when does a 'bit of fun' become something more | | | | may be in fear of your job or receiving a bad |
| sinister? | | | | reference or reputation as a 'trouble-maker'. But |
| The legal definition: Bullying can encompass a wide | | | | you have rights, and one of those is to work in a |
| range of general definitions, but you cannot make | | | | safe environment where you can feel at ease |
| a legal claim directly about bullying as such. | | | | with your co-workers. If you are being bullied at |
| However, complaints can be made under laws | | | | work, the first thing to do is to talk it over with |
| covering discrimination and harassment. | | | | your supervisor or, if you prefer, an impartial third |
| Examples of behaviour that could be constituted | | | | party such as a Union representative or the |
| as 'bullying' include:abuse;physical or verbal | | | | Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service |
| violence;humiliation; andundermining someone's | | | | (better known as ACAS). If you want to keep |
| confidence. | | | | the initial problem completely separate from your |
| This can manifest as: | | | | working environment, you can also talk to your |
| Being constantly 'picked on'. | | | | local Citizen's Advice Bureau, who can provide you |
| Humiliated in front of colleagues. | | | | with free and impartial advice. |
| Unfairly passed over for promotion or denied | | | | Your employer will have a grievance procedure, |
| training opportunities. | | | | which should be outlined in detail in your contract |
| Physical or verbal abuse. | | | | of employment. Follow this in the first instance - if |
| Electronic 'cyber-bullying' (bullying by email or text). | | | | you do proceed with legal action at a later date, it |
| However, behaviour defined as bullying, unless | | | | is important to show that you have taken every |
| clearly and unmistakably so, can be easily | | | | step in accordance with your contract to resolve |
| misinterpreted. If you've been passed over for | | | | the issue. If the situation is still unresolved after |
| promotion, it is wise to check the reasons why | | | | following these steps, you may be left with no |
| before you start claiming that it is a symptom of | | | | alternative other than to go to an Employment |
| bullying by a superior or boss. | | | | tribunal. |
| Some workplaces are by their very nature, a little | | | | Bullying is an unacceptable practice and has no |
| more demanding than others are. Particularly in | | | | place in any environment, let alone the workplace. |
| highly stressed environments, so-called 'horse-play' | | | | The most important thing is to ensure that it |
| or verbal sparring can often be a method of | | | | does not go unresolved and that others do not |
| reducing the stress levels within the workplace. | | | | end up suffering at the hands of workplace bullies. |
| What you see as bullying may be unintentional or | | | | Bullies are invariably cowardly, and calling them to |
| just that 'bit of fun' taken a little too far. In | | | | account for their actions usually resolves the |
| situations like this, it is often quickly resolved | | | | situation. But if you are being bullied, do not feel |
| merely by a process of arbitration between you | | | | that you have to suffer in silence for the sake of |
| and your work colleagues and, if necessary, via a | | | | your job. There is help available and you should |
| third party such as a Union representative or | | | | take advantage of it at the earliest possible |
| supervisor. But if there is a clear case of bullying | | | | opportunity. |