WHEN THINGS GET OUT OF HAND Sometimes behaviour in the workplace – our own or others’ – oversteps the mark of what is reasonable and fair, and has the potential to affect the wellbeing of others. Maybe when the pressure is on we get frazzled and less able to cope, or maybe we just don’t have the tools, skills or experience to handle the situations we find challenging and we end up acting or communicating inappropriately. And getting it wrong may constitute bullying. Intentional or not, workplace bullying is a significant hazard in New Zealand according to WorkSafe, so it’s important that you understand what bullying is in order to recognise if it is creeping into your workplace. In a nutshell Workplace bullying is unwanted and unwarranted behaviour that a person finds offensive, intimidating or humiliating and is repeated so as to have a detrimental effect upon a person’s dignity, safety and well-being. Source: Workplace Against Violence in Employment (WAVE)
Examples of what bullying behaviour might look like in the workplace
What can you do? The effects of bullying on individuals and the workplace at large are always detrimental, with negative impacts including disengaged staff, low morale, reduced productivity and quality, and increased attrition. All of which, of course, have the potential to negatively impact an organisation’s bottom line. While the issues can be complex and the solutions equally so, they are more likely to exacerbate than to go away if not addressed, so taking action is imperative. We suggest a risk management approach.
You don’t have to go it alone Raise is here to help you at every stage of the process. Talk to us about what’s going on in your workplace and how we can support you and your team to recognise, be prepared for, and get through the tougher times. From one-on-one support through to training for managers and teams, Raise provides a wide range of support services that can be adapted to meet your needs. Get in touch via 0800 SELF HELP (0800 735 343) or enquiries@raisementalhealth.co.nz. Recognising that bullying is happening in your workplace can be confronting, and it takes a self-aware person to recognise when their own words and behaviour are also stepping outside the bounds of what can be considered reasonable. But recognising that there is an issue and dealing with it, no matter how unpleasant, will ultimately make yours a more enjoyable and productive workplace to be in. Comments are closed.
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