Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying at work has become a major debating factor within the arena of business and work, especially since the rise and popularity of equal opportunities. Different organisations deal with bullying in the work place in different ways, for example some hold very strong policies and others do not have policies in place at all. Individuals also treat bullying at work in different ways, some people turn a blind eye and deal with the situation, some do not even realise they are being bullied and some take the correct route and contact the relevant people within the organisation, often the human resources department. Individuals who are members of a trade union should also seek advice off their trade union representatives. Those who find they have a successful case for bullying at work are likely to have a strong case to gain compensation from their employers.
Bullying at work includes many different factors, some which many people will not even consider to be bullying but many organisations will. Bullying at work includes, staff which work effectively being continually criticised and having their responsibilities stripped off them. Unnecessary shouting at staff can also be considered as bullying at work. Dressing down individuals in front of other staff rather than in private, on a regular occurrence which other members of staff also tend to view as unnecessary. People who have their promotions blocked for no clear or proper reason, whilst other members of staff continue to progress properly. Excluding individuals from group work or providing a substandard or increased work load to an individual which is not in proportion with the rest of the work forces work load. Setting up people so that they are bound to fail or meet deadlines is also considered as bullying at work. If a person is persistently targeted by an individual or individuals in relation to being the centre of jokes also counts as bullying at work.
Bullying at work can leave individuals in an extremely difficult position in relation to their working life and also their home life. Bullying at work can bring symptoms such as anxiety, headaches, sleeplessness, skin rashes, and irritable bowel syndrome, and high blood pressure, loss of self confidence and thoughts of suicide. Different people cope bullying at work in different ways and people also suffer from different symptoms. Serious bullying at work which largely impacts upon individuals is likely to lead to the individual involved in taking large amounts of time off work.
In order to make a compensation claim for bullying in the work place, individuals who feel they are being bullied should contact a member of their union or speak to ACAS, the advisory, conciliation and arbitration service. These services are likely to provide the correct steps to take in relation to making a compensation claim and also importantly on how to end this bullying at work. One first step which should be taken in relation to stopping any bullying at work should be viewing the anti-bullying policy of the organisation in which they work.