Anti-Bullying Week 2018
Bullying destroys individuals. It destroys families too.
I am a massive advocate of respecting other people in the workplace. If bullying is left unchecked, it can have devastating effects on people. Their self-esteem, career and even their lives.
Cyberbullying is also rife, creating an environment where we feel that we are not safe from the minute we wake up to the time we spend with our co-workers.
So This Anti-Bullying Week we choose respect #ANTIBULLYINGWEEK
Anti-Bullying Week 12th – 16th November
I am so pleased that schools have embraced anti-bullying week. So much so, because the digital and physical world have collided and made this space so much more detrimental to people’s health. We want people to grow up knowing that to bully people online, through social and face-to-face is all about respect.
Bullying in the Workplace
It isn’t just endemic in schools. Bullying is rife at work. Girls are just like that, what do you expect? I can’t do anything, unless you want to leave. Boys just like being around boys. I have heard all of these phrases and much more. Bullying is bullying. Enough.
So what do I do…?
Acas defines workplace bullying as “offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the person being bullied”. The Health and Safety Executive emphasises this is a pattern of behaviour rather than isolated instances, happening “repeatedly and persistently over time.”
Employer’s duties:
Employers have a duty of care for all their employees to prevent bullying and harassment. They also have responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for the welfare of employees.
If the mutual trust and confidence has broken with your employer due to bullying at work, then you can resign and claim constructive dismissal. This is on the basis that your employer has fundamentally breached your contract making your ongoing position untenable. You would need two years’ service to qualify in bringing a claim.
If you have experienced harassment in relation to a protected characteristic (for example, disability), you can similarly bring a claim for constructive dismissal. You can also claim damages for harassment under the Equality Act. In both cases, it is recommended that you lodge a grievance before resigning, and failure to do so in a constructive dismissal claim could reduce any damages you are awarded at tribunal by up to 25%.
A tribunal claim for harassment must be brought within three months (less one day) of the last discriminatory act. You need to notify Acas under their early conciliation process within this timeframe. For constructive dismissal claims, the deadline is three months less one day from your last date of employment (this is usually the last date that you have been paid).
What should you do about being bullied or harassed?
You should first consider whether the situation can be resolved informally. Try to discuss your concerns with your line manager. A HR representative, trade union official, or even the person who is bullying you (if you are able to). It may even be the case that other colleagues are experiencing a similar treatment. So it can also be helpful confide in colleagues you feel that you can trust.
If the matter cannot be resolved informally, you can lodge a formal grievance. You employer must then investigate the matter. Your employer should have a grievance policy that explains how the process works. As for a copy. Usually, the grievance is lodged with HR or your line manager. Unless your line manager is the bully, in which case, if possible, you should lodge it with someone more senior. If the grievance is not upheld, you have the right to lodge an appeal. If it is upheld, the person bullying you could be disciplined or even dismissed.
It is advisable to keep a diary of events where you feel bullied or harassed. As well as taking copies of emails and other communications that demonstrate the unwanted conduct. This evidence will be useful when you are required to recall instances of bullying. A series of isolated instances, which can often appear “trivial” in isolation, may actually be part of a wider campaign against you.
If your health (physical or mental) is so adversely affected by the bullying, your GP may sign you off work for stress and anxiety. Indeed, in many cases, individuals find they simply cannot return to work while the continuing threat of bullying remains.
Cyberbullying Day
Cyber bullying is any form of bullying which takes place online or through smartphones and tablets. Unfortunately, social media is rife with cyberbullying. I can’t even begin to fathom how anyone could hide behind a twitter handle and threaten to rape someone. Or threaten them with violence…and yet it happens.
Ariana Grande & Little Mix
Ariana Grande has been incredibly vocal this week on this issue. When her ex boyfriend Mac Miller tragically died. Ariana had to disable comments on her Instagram due to people lashing out at her.
Little Mix recently revealed their new single ‘Strip’. It was an emotive single, where all of the words people have used against them were written on their bodies. It is a song about empowerment and learning to love your bodies.
If you got little boobs, love it
If you got a big ass, grab it (ah-ooh)
If you got nothing big, rock it
It’s your life, go get it, if you want it
Piers Morgan was quick to bash Little Mix who appeared in the nude on their new single. Ariana leapt to their defence, taking the baton from her mother Joan.
According to a recent national bullying survey by Bullying UK 56% of young people said they have seen others be bullied online and 42% have felt unsafe online. I have witnessed many bloggers recently want to leave social to protect their own mental health.
Yet social media can do so much good. You only have to look at Little Mix latest song, which has empowered other young women to share their stories to feel that they are not alone.
Bullying UK Hotline: If you would like support and advice, you can talk to a Family Support Workers by calling Bullying UK’s confidential helpline on 0808 800 2222.