Photographer : Mark Walley |
What is bullying?
Bullying is when you are verbally, physically, socially or psychologically hurt by your employer (or manager), another person or a group of people. There are three main types of bullying: general, workplace and cyber. Many people are bullied and don’t even realise it.
Bullying can be:
- physical: punching, kicking, shoving, hitting etc
- verbal: teasing and name calling
- psychological: intimidation and threats
- social: excluding, isolating, spreading rumours etc
- sexual: touching and verbal harassment.
Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying is a new form of bullying. It involves using technologies such as computers, mobile phones or other devices to abuse and harass people.
Typical cyber bullying behaviour includes:
- harassing by text messages, instant messages and email
- falsely using someone’s username to spread rumours
- posting crude and embarrassing pictures on blogs and websites
Workplace bullying
Workplace bullying behaviour includes:
- intense criticism (usually of petty details)
- fault seeking
- humiliation
- isolation and exclusion
- overruling authority and ideas
- deliberately holding back information needed for getting work done properly
- giving tasks impossible to complete by deadline or meaningless tasks that have nothing to do with the job
Why do people do it?
Many bullies have self-image or self-confidence issues. Most of the time, bullies are people who:
- are trying to gain power
- are trying to look cool
- are trying to fit in with a group
- want to get their way with everything
- want to feel important
- feel unhappy
- have low self esteem and confidence
- are seeking attention
- are copying what they have seen others do before, or what has been done to them.
Workplace bullies are slightly different. They are:
- usually bosses or superiors
- often insecure and lack social skills
- lacking in empathy
- controlling of others.
Who do they do it to?
Bullies tend to pick on people who make them look strong, such as those who’ll get upset easily. This may be someone who has trouble defending themself or who will give a big reaction.
Workplace bullies are different from general bullies and usually pick on people that are threatening to their position or reputation as a worker. Victims tend to be people who are very capable and well liked by others. They usually have a high anger tolerance and are less likely to speak up.
What can you do about it?
Bullying is a problem that is rarely solved on its own, so telling someone is a necessary step to ending it. To find out more about what you can do if you or someone you know is being bullied head to
http://www.reachout.com.au.
What’s being done to address bullying
Bullying is now recognised as a major problem that needs appropriate attention. Most schools, universities and workplaces have anti-bullying policies, although strategies, programs and procedures for better solutions are in high demand.
A really extensive website to find out more information is:
http://www.bullyonline.org/
How do I know this?
Bullying No Way!,
http://www.bullyingnoway.com.au
Canada Safety Council,
Bullying in the workplace http://www.safety-council.org/info/OSH/bullies.html
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission,
Bullying in the workplace http://www.hreoc.gov.au/info_for_employers/fact/wo...
Kidshealth.org, ¬
Dealing with bullies,
http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/bullies.html
Reachout!,
http://www.reachout.com.au
Rigby, K,
Bullying in schools and what to do about it,
http://www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/
Stop Bullying Now,
http://www.stopbullyingnow.com/interven.htm
