tackling bullying at work resources

Please share & link to this page if you find the following resources useful.

General Information on Tackling Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace

Find the full list of In Equilibrium blog articles and resources here and a blog post about banter at work here

General Resources about Preventing Bullying

We hope you find the following articles and resources about bullying helpful.  We have tried to focus on articles which give useful, usable information to raise awareness of many issues relating to bullying, particularly in the workplace.  There are a few links to material positioned elsewhere on this website but mainly these articles are ones that we have found over the course of our work in providing training in preventing bullying and harassment.

We would like to encourage you to link/share this page and spread the word about what constitutes bullying and harassment as well as actions to take if you or a colleague are being bullied/harassed. Raising awareness is the first step in reducing the prevalence.

Raising Awareness of Bullying in the Workplace

BMA Guide to Bullying and Harassment
This BMA Guide looks at how to address bullying and harassment at work.  It is focused on the NHS but is relevant to all sectors.

Bullying and Harassment at Work: A guide for Managers and Employers
This 20 page document produced by ACAS has a useful section on why employers need to take action on bullying and harassment and a summary of the legal position.

CIPD Guide: Dealing with conflict at work: a guide for people managers
A useful guide from the CIPD to support managers to proactively identify and manage conflict at work.

Harassment and Bullying at Work
A free resource from the CIPD but you will need to log in or register to read the full factsheet.  It explains the CIPD viewpoint, examines the legal positions on harassment and bullying in the workplace and outlines employers’ and employees’ responsibilities.

Harassment at Work: A UNISON Guide
Updated in December 2016, this guide explains what harassment and bullying are, the impact they have and their legal implications.  There is also a section on what a policy on harassment should include.

Seeking better solutions: tackling bullying and ill-treatment in Britain’s workplaces
A policy discussion paper from ACAS which aims to consider how bullying and ill-treatment could be tackled more effectively in British workplaces.

TUC guide on bullying
Another clear guide on steps to take if you think you are being bullied.  The webpage includes the cost of bullying to you, the cost to your boss and a list of actions to consider if you are being bullied.

Workplace bullying on Wikipedia
Includes a section on definitions as well as bullying tactics and a list of abusive workplace behaviours.

You can also find some short videos on our Bullying and Harassment playlist on YouTube here

Bullying at Work – Articles

Are you an innocent bystander to bullying and harassment at work?
A look at the effect of bullying on staff morale with some tips to becoming an upstanding rather than innocent bystander if you should witness bullying and harassment at work.

Here’s how to deal with bullying in the NHS
An article on the conversation.com website argues that bullying at work is painful in part because everyone is involved e.g. the patients that stand by, the staff that turn a blind eye etc.

The silent epidemic
Workplace bullying is on the rise according to this piece in the Guardian newspaper.

Different Types of Bullying Behaviours

Brian Tracy article recognising that the leader sets the tone
Your management style, does it help or hurt employee performance? This piece singles out trust as the most important single factor in making an environment a “good place to work”.  It’s a subtle link but the paragraph on destructive criticism being the worst behaviour a person can experience may be of interest.

In Equilibrium film about the subtle and more obvious bullying behaviours
In just over 2 minutes this animation runs through bullying behaviours in the context of the workplace.

Subtle signs of workplace bullying
This piece describes the subtle and not so subtle signs of bullying.  It also refers to the role of HR and the importance of specific actions which should be taken to prevent bullying behaviour.  Contains very clear and simple lists of information.

Effects of bullying on the individual

8 Reasons why victims of bullying don’t tell
There are many similar articles on the web and most of them are focused on children being bullied at school.  However the principle is the same and many people who have experienced bullying in the workplace will recognise these reasons for not sharing the fact.

Bullying described as workplace “banter”
HR review, 6 in 10 people have witnessed or suffered bullying in the workplace.  Contains a link to legal advice on bullying and harassment.

Covert v Overt bullying examples
From our own website this article lists the types of behaviours that can be described as covert and overt bullying.

The National Bullying Helpline
Help and advice for people who are being bullied.  This page of their website offers advice to employees about bullying in the workplace.

Effects of bullying on the organisation

Bullying at Work
In the advice for life situations and events section of the NHS website, is a page to help identify workplace bullying with signposting to advice and support.

Dealing with occupational bullying: The occupational health worker’s role
Arguing that the responsibility is on all of us to ensure appropriate behaviour at work and to challenge unacceptable behaviour where we witness it. It is important that individuals who perceive that they are being bullied have the confidence to speak out without fear of further harassment or discrimination. Organisations should have robust systems in place to deal with any of these situations promptly and appropriately.

Legal Support/The Equality Act

Citizens Advice – Discrimination at Work: Bullying and Harassment
Discrimination at work: Bullying and Harassment  This webpage describes what harassment is, what you can do about it, outlines the protected characteristics and next steps.

Equality Act 2010
Information and guidance on the Equality Act 2010, including age discrimination and public sector Equality Duty.

Protected Characteristics
This page on the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s website lists the 9 characteristics protected under the Equality Act and provides links through to their advice and/or guidance for each.

Myths about Bullying at Work

Bullying: What are the Myths Surrounding Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace?
From the official magazine of the Corporate Health and Wellness Association in America this article highlights myths like “if you downplay a bullying situation, the problem will go away”

Myths and misperceptions about workplace bullying
Overcoming stereotypes and false perceptions of adult bullying and workplace bullying.

Suggested alternative management styles and behaviours

7 Tips to avoid being called a bully at work
A blog article from Australia which highlights bullying statistics from Australia, USA and the UK, looks at what is and is not considered bullying in the workplace as well as providing 7 tips that can be used to ensure your management actions are not considered to be bullying.

Additional Resources Pages

Bullying at Work Training Courses

Please Note: The information in this website is for general guidance  and is not legal advice. Please be aware that some of the articles mentioned on the resources pages originate from countries with different legal requirements from those in the UK.

Equilibrium Associates Limited (In Equilibrium) will not accept liability for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising as a consequence of any use of or the inability to use any information on this website. We are not responsible for claims brought by third parties arising from your use of in-equilibrium.co.uk

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