How to manage and prevent workplace bullying

What is bullying in the workplace?

Bullying at work comes in many shapes and forms, and can be perpetrated by anyone in a company, from top managers to new hires.

Some examples of workplace bullying include:

• Insults, hostility or victimisation
• Spreading rumours
• Excluding or ignoring certain individuals
• Unjustified personal or professional criticism
• Threatening behaviour
• Unwanted sexual advances
• Sexual harassment
• Sabotage of co-workers
• Overlooking certain individuals for promotion or other professional development

Why should I care?
There is no question that workplace bullying will have a negative impact on your business. The cost of bullying-related absenteeism, turnover and lost productivity shouldn’t be underestimated.

Common consequences of workplace bulling include:

• Poor employee relations
• Negative working environment
• Loss of productivity
• Loss of staff
• Loss of respect for superiors or even insubordination

All of which can damage your business, sometimes irrevocably.

What can I do?
The first thing you should to do is make sure you have well-established procedures in place for dealing with grievance and disciplinary matters.

A good preventative measure against bullying in the workplace is the creation of a company behaviour policy. This could include:

• A statement of commitment from senior management
• A statement that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances
• A statement that bullying and harassment will be treated as disciplinary offences
• The responsibility of supervisors, managers and employees to prevent and take steps against bullying
• A statement that any grievance is treated with confidentiality
• Details regarding both formal and informal grievance procedures
• Details regarding investigation procedures
• Details regarding formal disciplinary procedures

Other day-to-day strategies you could implement include:

• Leadership development
• Bullying awareness and education for employees
• Clear communication of goals and what you expect from your employees
• Regular praise for employees
• Regular feedback from employees
• Team building and training days

Taking steps to improve workplace culture now will increase the wellbeing and happiness of your staff and help your business to grow in the future.

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