How to combat workplace bullying 

February 26th marks International stand up to bullying day. All companies have a responsibility to create a culture of respect for their employees. Research suggests nearly a third of people in the UK have been bullied at work. Bullying can be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, according to a UK study 47% of workers have witnessed bullying at work and 24% of employees think their company turns a blind eye when it comes to workplace bullying.

What exactly is workplace bullying?

According  to ACAS, employment authority in the UK, workplace bullying is behavior from a person or group that is unwanted and makes you feel uncomfortable. Young workers, women and LGBT employees report the highest rates of workplace bullying. Survey responders said these were the most common ways they were bullied at work:

• Falsely accused of making mistakes (45%)
• Comments ignored, dismissed or not acknowledged (42%)
• Different standards or policies applied to them (34%)
• Gossiped about (36%)
• Belittling comments (28%)
• Excluded from social work activities and events (20%)

What can you do to stop workplace bullying?

Many companies and organisations have a zero-tolerance policy to workplace bullying, if you find your company doesn’t have its own anti bullying policy then its worth talking to your manager or HR department about putting in place a new policy to protect employees from bullying and harassment in the workplace. 

Speak up

Understandably individuals may be afraid to speak up when it comes to workplace bullying, they may feel ashamed or concerned about how they will be perceived. However bullying at work can take a huge toll on your overall well being and it is crucial to take care of yourself and speak out, this may be by talking to your manager or someone you trust if you believe you or someone you know is a victim of bullying.

Promote a positive company culture

A positive company culture is key to combating workplace bullying. Learn to identify what defines bullying, bullying can take many forms and it is important to spot the signs early. Like mentioned earlier setting a zero policy approach is crucial to combatting any unfair behaviours in the workplace, regularly talking with your team can help identify bullying behaviour and empowers staff to speak up if they see any behaviour that is not appropriate. 

Take allegations seriously

Encourage employees to report any incidents of bullying, regardless if they are witnesses or the victim themselves. Creating a culture of reporting is critical to demonstrate that any allegations will be investigated and treated seriously.

Keep a record

This tip is key, lack of evidence is a common reason why bullying at work goes undisciplined. Take a proactive approach and keep note of all instances where you have felt you or someone you know has been unfairly treated, document all notes with time and dates as this will help you create a timeline of events, if you have any witnesses encourage them to do the same, this will significantly help when reporting bullying to your manager or HR team.

Employers are responsible for providing their employees with a healthy and safe working environment. Taking appropriate steps to eradicate workplace bullying improves employee morale, enhances employee retention and improves overall wellbeing.

Here at EachPerson we offer ways to reward and recognise your people and make employees feel more valued at work. Simple gestures and perks at work can have a huge impact on the way people feel about themselves and their efforts. Businesses can introduce E-cards and employee vouchers as a way to say thank you for your hard work, these are both innovative ways for businesses to give employees the recognition they deserve. 

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