Bullying in the workplace
Bullying is collectively referred to as ‘abusive acts’ and is characterized by being systematic. Bullying in the workplace covers, among other things, exclusion from the community, persistent silence and teasing
Bullying, like harassment og sexual harassment, is a particularly destructive form of abusive behaviour. It differs from general abusive behaviour by being systematic. That is, the violations happen against the same person or group repeatedly. In addition, bullying is defined by the vulnerable person or group not being able to defend themselves.
Bullying has a major impact on employee well-being in the workplace and the general mental work environment. Therefore, it is important that your employees have peace of mind in being able to report bullying and other abusive behaviour anonymously if they experience it. But when is it bullying? What does the law say? What obligations do you have as an employer, for example in relation to the requirement for whistleblower schemes in companies? You get the answer here.
When is it bullying in the workplace?
Bullying can be expressed both through active actions and by failing to act in certain situations.
Bullying is not characterized by physical abuse or threats – this type of abuse is harassment. Bullying is much broader and can often
take place more indirectly and covertly. One could argue that harassment and sexual harassment are also a form of bullying, but here we are trying to keep it separate.
Bullying in the workplace is characterized by:
One or more people expose others to abusive acts regularly and over a long period of time
The victims perceive the abusive acts as hurtful or degrading
However, it only becomes bullying when the person or persons against whom the abusive acts are directed are unable to defend themselves effectively against them.
Examples of bullying:
- To scold, shout or ridicule
- Exclusion from the social and professional community
- Persistent silence
- Teasing
- Sabotage of the victim’s work (eg by paperwork or other damage or disappearance)
- Provide meaningless or impossible tasks related to the job
- Deliberately withholding necessary information
Consequences of bullying in the workplace
Bullying and other abusive behaviours can lead to a number of health problems. Of course, this could happen to the victim or victims, but also to witnesses to the behaviour.
Examples of consequences are:
- Physical reactions: Headache, nausea and gastrointestinal problems.
Pain in the back, shoulders and neck. Shortness of breath, tremor and fainting - Mental reactions: Anxiety, insecurity, nervousness, despair and lack of self-confidence. Memory and concentration problems, anger and aggression
- Behavioural reactions: Passive, restless, sleepless, isolation, sick leave, reduced ability to work and eventually termination
Bullying in the workplace affects the mental work environment
A healthy and well-functioning workplace is free from violations and bullying – that’s obvious. However, it can be a difficult task to completely guard against. Therefore, it is important that every company has a system that allows offended employees to be heard without having to fear retaliation.
At the end of 2023, the legal requirement is that all companies with more than 50 employees must have a whistleblower system complying with the whistleblower directive. It is made to allow whistleblowers to report anonymously to their workplace. It can be about offences, serious errors, negligence as well as bullying or other abusive behaviour in the workplace. The latter also includes, for example, sexual harassment and harassment.
If your employees experience bullying, it can be difficult for the individual to move forward with the problem, for example for fear of aggravating the problem further.
With WhistleSystem, your company gets a secure, anonymous and simple whistleblower system for anonymous reporting of, among other things, infringing actions. It can accommodate your employees, make them safer in the workplace and give them a better work environment.
WhistleSystem: A secure and user-friendly whistleblower system for your business
It can easily become a headache for private companies with 50+ employees to comply with the new legal requirements. If you want to avoid breaking the head with the many legal details for implementing and handling alerts that come with the scheme, the solution is WhistleSystem.
WhistleSystem is a whistleblower system, or software that is safe and user-friendly, and that complies with all rules and legal requirements in the field. The system requires a minimal amount of work on your part: The implementation of the software is quick and simple, the user-friendliness is top notch and manuals are included, which you can insert in your personnel manual.
Once the WhistleSystem is implemented, all you have to do is deal with any reviews you receive through the system. And at the same time you make sure to comply with the law on a whistleblower scheme in the company.
