Examples of bullying
Bullying may take the form of physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct.
The following are examples of bullying behaviour:
- Shouting at someone, being sarcastic towards them, ridiculing or demeaning others
- Insensitive jokes and pranks
- Name-calling
- Abusive, threatening or insulting words or behaviour
- Demanding a greater work output than is reasonably feasible
- Blocking promotion or other development/advancement
- Physical or psychological threats
- Deliberately excluding someone from meetings or communications or conversations without good reason
- Inappropriate and/or derogatory remarks about someone's performance
- Abuse of authority or power by those in positions of seniority
Distinction between bullying management behaviour and strong management
Bullying management behaviour
- Unjustified, excessive monitoring and/or supervision (micro-managing)
- Making threats
- Intimidating or threatening behaviour
- Physical and verbal abuse
- Aggressive communications
- Humiliating people in front of others
- Refusing to listen to concerns or opinions
- Addressing people by their job title or grade rather than by name
- Setting someone up to fail (e.g. setting a target or objective that cannot be achieved)
- Constant changing of targets for no justifiable reason
- Withholding necessary information
- Persistent, excessive, unfair or unjustified criticism
- Persistent devaluing of a person’s effort
- Ignoring people for promotion
- Unreasonably blocking requests for leave
Strong, fair management behaviour
- Setting and agreeing achievable tasks and goals
- Consistent and fair actions
- Giving constructive feedback
- Managing performance by recognising good performance and constructively tackling poor performance
- Sharing information freely
- Realistic about strengths and development needs
- Giving credit where credit is due
- Addressing someone by their name
Please note: the above lists are not exclusive or exhaustive.