Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Power does not always mean being in a position of authority, but can include both personal strength and the power to coerce through fear or intimidation.
Unlike harassment, it does not need to be connected to a protected characteristic.
Unlike harassment, it does not need to be connected to a protected characteristic.
Bullying can take the form of physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct. Non-verbal conduct includes postings on social media outlets.
Bullying takes many forms and can include:
- A manager who swears or shouts at staff or speaks sarcastically to staff
- Micro-managing staff or setting staff up to fail by providing unrealistic targets
- Making derogatory comments to others about a person, in their presence or behind their back
- Singling someone out for different treatment e.g., pointing out mistakes made by one member of the team when others are not treated that way when they make mistakes.
- Someone spreading a malicious rumour about you
- Someone putting a threatening comment towards you on social media