Creating Awareness of Workplace Bullying
An important step in creating a workplace free of bullying is to create awareness of the issue among employees, including managers and supervisors. Awareness-raising should include information about:
- how to recognise bullying;
- the possible effects of bullying;
- where to get further information and support; and
- internal and external processes available for dealing with alleged bullying.
Channels of communication may include formal training sessions, staff newsletters/bulletins, intranet, staff meetings and informal discussion groups.
By raising awareness:
- agencies and employees will be in a better position to identify and deal with workplace bullying, or circumstances in which bullying could occur; and
- it will be made clear to everyone that bullying is unacceptable and that incidents of such behaviour should be reported.
Information should be provided when:
- recruiting employees (including appointing or promoting managers and supervisors);
- running induction programs; and
- engaging contractors or supplying services to others.
Involving health and safety representatives, union representatives and employees in the development of agency policies will also play an important role in raising awareness.