To mark the Anti-Bullying Day 8th of November, the Administration of Occupational Safety and Health (AOSH) is releasing a new educational video on workplace bullying together with supporting material. The video was made together with parties to the labour market, the Directorate of Equality and the Directorate of Health.

The video looks at what workplace bullying is and the different forms it can take in the work environment. It also shows how bullying can be rooted in organisational structures, management and social interactions, and what workplaces can do to make such behaviour less likely.

The video is accompanied by the checklist Intervening early in negative workplace interactions and the quiz What do you know about bullying, harassment and violence in the workplace?

Bullying should never be tolerated in the workplace

Workplace bullying is behaviour that can negatively affect employees’ wellbeing and safety, as well as overall workplace success.

Bullying can take many forms in the work environment:

• Visible behaviour: For example, when an employee is repeatedly reprimanded in front of others.

• Behaviour that is difficult to recognise: For example, repeated gossip or social exclusion.

Read more about workplace bullying.

How can workplace bullying be prevented?

Organisational structures, management and social interactions have a big impact on the work environment. They can either reduce or increase the likelihood of difficult interactions.

• Clear roles and responsibilities: When roles and responsibilities are clear, employees get the support and feedback they need, and there are clear standards for how people interact. This lays the foundation for a healthy work environment and can reduce the likelihood of difficult interactions.

• Good organisation and management: When management, organisation and communication work well, there is less risk of misunderstandings, unclear division of tasks, lack of prioritisation, tension and difficult interactions.

• Risk assessment and prevention: A risk assessment helps identify early the factors that may negatively affect employees’ wellbeing, and lays the groundwork for systematic preventive work.

Everyone in the workplace has a role to play

Everyone in the workplace is responsible for how they interact with others.

Managers play a key role in shaping a healthy workplace culture. Among other things, they need to:

• Set a clear vision, provide support and follow up on issues.

• Involve employees in shaping and maintaining the culture they want to build.

• Pay attention to how the culture shows in employees’ interactions, behaviour and attitudes, and lead by example.

Employees play an active part in creating and maintaining a healthy workplace culture. Each of us is responsible for our own behaviour, and it is important that we treat each other with kindness and respect in our daily interactions.

A healthy workplace culture is the best prevention

Workplace culture is reflected in the values, habits and attitudes in the work environment. It shapes how employees talk to each other, work together and deal with disagreement.

Some workplace cultures are built on trust and clear standards for how people interact, and concerns raised there are dealt with promptly and followed up. In those workplaces it is easier to step in early when interactions turn difficult or negative, before they escalate into bullying.

This kind of culture also affects whether employees feel able to talk about difficult interactions, seek support or speak up about what could be done better.

From awareness to action

AOSH encourages workplaces to use the new educational video to start the conversation among co-workers and to take action where needed.

The accompanying checklist can also be used as a helpful guide:

It can also be useful to test your knowledge of the topic:

Be informed!

Let’s say NO to bullying.