Bullying Briefing Session

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Bullying Briefing Session

• Curtin University of Technology

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Objectives

• By the end of this session staff will be able to
• Explain what bullying is
• List the impact of bullying
• Describe the Universitys policy on bullying
• Explain what someone could do if they are
  experiencing bullying

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What Is It?

• Bullying is repeated inappropriate behaviour,
  direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or
  otherwise, conducted by one or more persons
  against another or others, that a reasonable
  person would regard as undermining the
  individuals right to dignity through
  victimising, harming, humiliating, intimidating
  or threatening a person or persons, thereby
  creating a risk to health and safety. (Source
  WorkSafe WA 2003)

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What Constitutes Bullying?

• OVERT
• eg verbal abuse
• threat of physical
• violence

• COVERT
• eg subtle intimidation
• - Inappropriate comments
• about personal appearance
• - Constant criticisms
• - Isolation and or exclusion
• - Unrealistic, embarrassing
• or degrading demands

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Recognising Bullying Examples

• Abusive, insulting or offensive language
• Behaviour or language that frightens, humiliates,
  belittles or degrades, including criticism
  delivered with a raised voice (yelling or
  screaming)
• Inappropriate comments about appearance,
  lifestyle or family
• Interfering with personal effects or work
  equipment
• Physical assaults or threats

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Recognising Bullying Examples

• Behaviour that undermines, treats less favourably
  or disempowers including overloading setting
  timelines difficult to achieve, setting tasks
  beyond skill level, deliberately denying access
  to information or resources, or unfair treatment
  in relation to accessing entitlements such as
  leave or training
• Inappropriate written communication including
  email and telephone text messaging

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Sources

• Bullying can take place between a manager or
  supervisor and subordinate between co-workers
  between a staff member and a student or between
  students. 
• Bullying may occur downwards, conducted by
  managers towards their staff or students,
  upwards, directed at managers from their staff
  or students, or horizontally, from one
  colleague to another.
• It may also refer to abusive group behaviour that
  is prolonged or systematic and otherwise known as
  workplace mobbing.
•  

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What does not constitute bullying?

• Recognise employers managerial prerogative.
• Differentiate bullying from legitimate authority.
  
• Employers right to direct and govern how work is
  done, monitor workflow management performance.
• Importance of adherence to appropriate protocols.
• Consider appropriateness of delivery company
  code of conduct.

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Some Stories
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Impact

• Personal
• Stress, anxiety
• Isolation
• Depression
• Loss of self esteem/ confidence
• Impaired decision making ability
• Financial implications
• Ill health
• Increased risk of injury
• Poor relationships

• Organisational
• Unsafe work environment
• Poor teamwork
• Poor morale
• Commitment/ loyalty
• Recruitment/ retention
• Increased Insurance premiums (w/comp)
• Absenteeism/ sickness
• Poor public image
• Overall financial cost

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Action _at_ Curtin

• Curtins commitment to prevention management of
  bullying
• All staff students have right to operate in
  environment free from bullying
• All required to demonstrate appropriate behaviour
  and respect one anothers right to dignity
• Development of policy procedure
• Complimentary information educational resources
• Review monitor incidents procedures for
  continuous improvement

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Information Training
 

•  

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Procedures

• Complete a self-audit checklist
• Seek advice
• Keep a record
• Report the situation
• Consider the options for resolution
• No action
• Deal directly with respondent
• Deal with respondent with third party assistance
• Approach the manager of the respondent
• Referral to Manager, Conflict resolution

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Information Resources

• Brochure
• Website
• http//www.edusafe.curtin.edu.au/curtin/bullyi
  ng.html
• Further training offered from early 2006
• Increasing Specialist Contact Officers
• WorkSafe WA

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Comments Questions