Bullying in the Workplace

PinkShirtDayPosterBullying is a real problem in our workplaces, our schools and our communities. It affects people of all ages. It can be devastating, leading to trauma, depression, and in the worst cases, suicide. Thirty-five per cent of workers have experienced bullying first hand, and 75 per cent of bullying targets leave the workplace. It increases the risk of errors and accidents, and decreases morale, productivity, and motivation.

Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively impose domination over others. The behavior is often repeated and habitual. One essential prerequisite is the perception, by the bully or by others, of an imbalance of social or physical power. Behaviors used to assert such domination can include verbal harassment or threat, physical assault or coercion, and such acts may be directed repeatedly towards particular targets. Justifications and rationalizations for such behavior sometimes include differences of class, race, religion, gender, sexuality, appearance, behavior, strength, size or ability.

DayOfPinkBullying consists of three basic types of abuse – emotional, verbal, and physical. It typically involves subtle methods of coercion such as intimidation. Bullying behavior may include name calling, verbal or written abuse, exclusion from activities, exclusion from social situations, physical abuse, or coercion.

Read more about bullying in the paper compiled by Chief Steward, Laurie Whyte, dowload: Paper-on-Bullying-2014 (Word Doc)

In 2008, the Premier of British Columbia proclaimed the last Wednesday of February (this year February 26th) to be the province’s anti-bullying day. CUPE also celebrates an Anti-Bullying Day (aka Day of Pink) in April (this year April 9, 2014). Posters for both events are available for download below.

Being bullied or recognize bullying behavior around you? Contact a steward to talk or get help.

Tagged on: ,