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Bullying at work
By Stephanie Sparrow
Bullying is not just a playground phenomenon; it can be a menace in the workplace, too. But it is an emotive subject and open to misinterpretation. The anti-bullying charity, the Andrea Adams Trust, advises anyone who thinks they have been bullied to keep a detailed record of every verbal or physical attack, which is an essential part of the evidence required to confront the alleged bully at a later stage.
Anyone who feels that they are being bullied should familiarise themselves with their employer’s policy on the subject and ask a solicitor for advice tailored to their situation.
Below we look at some of the common questions asked about the issue.
Is there legislation to prohibit bullying?
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 provides civil and criminal law protection from harassment and bullying in the workplace.
A victim can also bring a claim under the laws protecting employees from discrimination on the grounds of their sex, race, disability, age, religion or sexual orientation.
What are employers doing about bullying?
Many major employers are supporters of the Andrea Adams Trust. Plenty of employers have also revised their employee handbooks and intranets to demonstrate their "zero tolerance" policy.
How do I know the difference between a bully and a tough manager?
Workplace psychologists and training organisations suggest that a manager is a motivator who encourages team members to improve. "Tough but fair" is the usual description, but a bully will enforce targets or ideas without discussion or explanation. A manager supports colleagues, but a bully ridicules them.
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