Workplace bullying refers to repeated unreasonable actions from an individual(s) directed towards an employee (or a group of employees), which are intended to intimidate, degrade, humiliate or undermine. Thus, potentially creating a risk to the health and safety of the recipient.
Workplace bullying can be harmful behavior that could be considered spiteful, offensive, humiliating, and intimidating.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) workplace bullying is considered:
Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could ‘mentally’ hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve negative physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behavior that is intended to intimidate, offend, degrade or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the assertion of power through aggression.
Repeated bullying is set apart from harassment, which is often limited to a single instance. Constant harassment can become bullying, however, harassment refers to actions towards a protected group of people, which is illegal, unlike bullying.
Early warning signs of bullying can vary and may include:
- Co-workers may become quiet or exit the room once you enter, or they might simply ignore
- When a supervisor or manager frequently checks on you or asks you to meet them multiple times a week without a clear reason.
These incidents may seem random at first, however, if they persist, you may worry that something you did caused these actions. This could cause feelings that you may be disciplined. Having to think workplace bullying, even on your time off, can cause fear and anxiety.
At times, it may seem like your work is frequently monitored, where you begin to doubt yourself and have difficulty with your regular tasks.
Placing unreasonable expectations on employees and dismissing them in an unprofessional manner is unacceptable. This type of behavior often reduces self-esteem and creates high stress, tension, and feelings of helplessness.
Unsafe and unhealthy work environments can contribute to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, to name a few. Excessive monitoring, micromanaging, being shouted at, intimidated or humiliated in front of others are examples of bullying. Workplace bullying can also be instigated by your co-workers. The term mobbing refers to a group of coworkers targeting another colleague.
If you or your co-workers are the target of bullying at work, talk to someone you trust in the workplace that can advise you and advocate for you while keeping it confidential. Request a copy of the written policies and procedures from Canada Post and CUPW on bullying. For your reference, you may request a copy of the corporations CODE OF CONDUCT.
Always remember:
- You are NOT the source of the
- Recognize that bullying is all about control and it has nothing to do with your work performance.
- Make sure to document any issues including the date, time, the name of the individual(s) involved, details of the incident, and any information you feel is pertinent.
- Expect the bully to deny it if they are confronted or put on notice. This is why it is important to document important
I encourage all of you to take a strong stand against bullying and keep the workplace safe for all of us.
In Solidarity,
Anju Parmar, 3rd Vice president,
CCOHS Examples of Workplace Bullying
While bullying is a form of aggression, the actions can be both obvious and subtle. It is important to note that the following is not a checklist, nor does it mention all forms of bullying. This list is included as a way of showing some of the ways bullying may happen in a workplace. Also remember that bullying is usually considered to be a pattern of behaviour where one or more incidents will help show that bullying is taking place.
Examples include:
- Spreading malicious rumours, gossip, or innuendo.
- Excluding or isolating someone socially.
- Intimidating a person.
- Undermining or deliberately impeding a person’s work.
- Physically abusing or threatening abuse.
- Removing areas of responsibilities without cause.
- Constantly changing work guidelines.
- Establishing impossible deadlines that will set up the individual to fail.
- Withholding necessary information or purposefully giving the wrong information.
- Making jokes that are ‘obviously offensive’ by spoken word or e-mail.
- Intruding on a person’s privacy by pestering, spying or stalking.
- Assigning unreasonable duties or workload which are unfavourable to one person (in a way that creates unnecessary pressure).
- Underwork – creating a feeling of uselessness.
- Yelling or using profanity.
- Criticising a person persistently or constantly.
- Belittling a person’s opinions.
- Unwarranted (or undeserved) punishment.
- Blocking applications for training, leave or promotion.
- Tampering with a person’s personal belongings or work equipment.
If you are not sure an action or statement could be considered bullying, you can use the “reasonable person” test. Would most people consider the action unacceptable?