Understanding Bullying, Its Impact, and Support
How Bullying Might Show Up
Bullying and harassment can appear in verbal, physical, or visual forms:
- Verbal or written: Offensive jokes, derogatory comments, inappropriate messages, or repeated requests for dates or sexual acts.
- Physical: Unwanted touching, suggestive gestures, following someone or any form of unwanted contact.
- Visual: Sharing sexually suggestive or violent images, posters, or drawings.
You might notice bullying affecting your work, mood, or sense of safety. Some examples include:
- Being constantly criticised or undermined
- Unreasonable removal of duties or responsibilities
- Overbearing supervision or scrutiny
- Threats, shouting, or aggression
- Being ignored, excluded, or made the butt of jokes
- Malicious rumours or attempts to damage your reputation
- Unwelcome sexual attention or harassment
- Abuse of power to belittle or intimidate
Taking care of yourself
If you feel safe, it can sometimes help you to talk directly to the person. This can feel daunting, especially if they’re senior, but approaching the conversation calmly and professionally can make a difference.
When you do, try to:
- Explain clearly how their behaviour affects you
- Stick to the facts, without getting personal
- Keep the conversation professional and calm
It can also help to make notes of what was said and when, in case things don’t improve. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking face-to-face, you could write a message or email instead.
When to seek professional support
You don’t have to face bullying or harassment alone. There are people and services you can turn to for guidance and support:
- Your manager (or another manager if your own is involved)
- A trusted colleague
- Peer support workers or trained colleagues
- Occupational Health, counselling, or Employee Assistance Programmes
- Your Federation Representative, staff association, or union
- Your welfare officer
- Remember: Taking action isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s about protecting your wellbeing and your right to feel safe at work.
Practical tips to help you manage workplace bullying and harassment
