Bullying behavior tends to start or increase with organizational change. The expression of bullying behavior is usually the result of a supervisor or manager’s lack of training in the area of relationship management. Sometimes bullying behavior has been legitimized by a company’s value or practice.
Here are some overt and subtle forms of behavior that serve as signs of workplace bullying / harassment.
Overt forms of bullying behavior:
- Public humiliation
- Personal insults and name-calling
- Persistent criticism
- Spreading malicious rumours
- Freezing out, ignoring or excluding
- Constantly undervaluing effort
Subtle forms of bullying behaviors
- Removing areas of responsibility
- Deliberately sabotaging or impeding work performance
- Refusing to delegate
- Constantly changing work guidelines
- Withholding necessary information
- Over-monitoring, especially with malicious intent
- Setting up individuals to fail – eg. impossible deadlines
- Blocking applications for leave, promotion
- Using lengthy memos to make wild and inaccurate accusations
- Instigating complaints from others to make individual appear incompetent
For more information on legislative changes in your province or state visit: http://www.healthyworkplacebill.org/states.php