Employee guide to workplace bullying

Why is work making me feel so anxious, afraid, isolated and ashamed?

These are the types of questions many picked on, confused, hurt and aggrieved employees will ask themselves when they are being bullied at work, which remains an ongoing problem in workplaces across the country.

A recent study on workplace bullying and harassment in England looked at the links with mental health [1] cited 4.6.24

The findings revealed that one in 10 employees quizzed had suffered workplace bullying in the previous year .

In the majority of the cases (53 per cent) the perpetrator was a line manager, which was followed by colleagues in 42 per cent of cases.

Excessive criticism, verbal abuse, and humiliation were the most common forms of bullying behaviour reported.

Bullying at work was found to be significantly associated with poor mental health and reduced mental wellbeing.

All employers should take a zero-tolerance approach to workplace bullying.

ACAS, which provides a comprehensive guide on bullying, does state [2] cited 4.6.24

Although there is no legal definition of bullying, it can be described as unwanted behaviour from a person or group that is either:

• offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting
• an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to someone

Bullying might:

• be a regular pattern of behaviour or a one-off incident
• happen face-to-face, on social media, in emails or calls
• happen at work or in other work-related situations
• not always be obvious or noticed by others

It is possible someone might not know their behaviour is bullying. It can still be bullying even if they do not realise it or do not intend to bully someone.

Every employer has a legal duty of care to protect its employees from harm, including from bullying.

In any workplace, bullying is not always obvious. It can be subtle and leave you questioning yourself about if you are overreacting, being too sensitive or imagining things.

However it takes place bullying can be devastating. It can be deceptive, creep into your work life and undermine your confidence, health and productivity.

As an employee, it is vital that you understand the law, are able to recognise the signs of bullying, understand its impact, and know the steps to take if you find yourself a target.

The Law

There is no specific legislation that makes bullying unlawful, but employers are required to take is seriously.

All employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees [3] cited 4.6.24. This includes protection from bullying and harassment at work.

Harassment is often considered a form of bullying, especially when it involves unwanted behaviour that is offensive, intimidating, malicious, or insulting. But there is an important difference in the legal context.

Harassment is unlawful when it is unwanted behaviour that is directly related to a protected characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010 e.g. race, age, disability or sex etc [4] cited 4.6.24.

It is vital you understand the difference between bullying and unlawful harassment. Both are similar, but knowing the difference is important because the law provides greater legal remedies if you are a victim of harassment.

The symptoms of bullying at work

There are different forms of workplace bullying and how it occurs can vary. It can be direct verbal abuse and obvious, or more subtle and covert.

Signs that you may be experiencing bullying at work:

Whatever your job role you can expect to be given constructive feedback, both good and bad, for your performance, as it is part of any job. If the feedback is constructive, but the message negative it should focus on improving your performance or behaviour . If you are receiving constant, unwarranted criticism that is clearly not aimed at improving your performance, it might be bullying.

Victims of bullying will often feel isolated and excluded and as if this is being done deliberately. If you are being continually left out of meetings, conversations, or social events related to work it can be a form of isolation commonly used by workplace bullies.

A certain amount of pressure and different challenges will come with most job roles. But an excessive and unmanageable workload with impossible deadlines or unachievable time limits, especially when what is being asked of you is not part of your job description, can be a  bullying tactic often used to set you up to fail.

If someone is intentionally undermining your work, spreading rumours, or taking credit for your ideas, they are clear signs of bullying.

If you are made to genuinely and unreasonably fear for your job security it can be a sign of bullying. Threats about job security can range from being very clear and obvious or be extremely subtle e.g. implying consequences, creating uncertainty or withholding necessary information.

The impact of bullying

The effect of bullying in the workplace can cause both physical and mental harm, which does impact on all aspects of the life of the target.

Physical symptoms can include headaches, disturbed sleep and high blood pressure. Psychologically, it can cause anxiety, depression and lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem.

The National Bullying Helpline does say to help determine if your work colleague or boss is actually bullying you, ask yourself the following questions: [5] cited 4.6.24

Do I feel intimidated or threatened at work?

Am I regularly humiliated or ridiculed in front of my colleagues?

Have I been called names?

Are my efforts consistently undervalued or disregarded?

I feel sick or nauseous when working with a particular colleague or manager?

If the answer to these questions is yes then there is a good possibility that you are being bullied at work.

If your treatment at work is directly responsible for a decline in your physical or mental health, it is time to take action.

What can I do if I am being bullied?

Collect as much solid evidence as you can e.g. emails, text messages, screenshots. Keep a detailed record of incidents, including dates, times, witnesses, and the nature of the bullying. Such evidence is crucial when you report the treatment you have been subjected to.

Do not suffer in silence and seek support. Talk to trusted colleagues, friends or family members about what you are experiencing. They can offer emotional support and may provide advice or corroborate your experiences. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, searching online will provide a range of advice and details of appropriate support services.

Check your company policies, as most employers will have a policy that deals with bullying and harassment. It should detail what you can do to report it and steps that will be taken to address it, which can empower you to take the next steps.

Raise it with HR or management if you feel safe and comfortable doing so.

If internal channels are unhelpful, or if the bullying continues, you may need to seek external advice from legal professionals or support organisations.

What should I expect if I report workplace bullying?

Reporting bullying at work can be daunting, but taking the step to do so is important in addressing the issue. Here is what you can typically expect:

Your employer should take your report seriously and investigate. This should involve interviewing you, the alleged bully, and any witnesses if the process is thorough and fair.

The process should be confidential and protect your privacy and prevent retaliation.

The outcome will depend on the findings of the investigation and how you want your complaint to be resolved. You should be asked what you want as a resolution. It could result in mediation, training, disciplinary action against the bully or changes to workplace policies.

Your employer should offer you support during and after the investigation, which may include counselling services or adjustments to your work situation.

If you are unhappy with how your complaint is handled, need further advice or expert support to address workplace bullying, contact our Employee Support Centre

Finally

Workplace bullying is a serious issue that can have a harmful effect on your overall wellbeing and career.

By recognising the signs, understanding the impact, and knowing the steps to take, you can protect yourself.

No one deserves to be bullied, and taking action not only helps you, but also sets an example that bullying is unacceptable in any form.