Harassment and bullying at work

September 16th, 2008

Harassment is closely linked to stress. A study conducted by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Workplace Conditions found that people, not machines, are responsible for most of the stress suffered in the workplace. Perhaps as much as half of work-related stress is caused by harassment and bullying. The consequences for the victims are devastating, affecting their mental and physical health, self-esteem and performance at work. Many other colleagues are affected if only indirectly, covering for sick absence, handling on-going tensions etc.

As with so many situations involving people and relationships, remedies are not always straightforward. However, a perspective that sees the individual experiencing the harassment as being the only one responsible for remedial action, is unbalanced. Policy makers, managers and all colleagues in the organisation have responsibilities. At the most basic and general level everyone has a choice to ignore or address inappropriate behaviour: but it is always the case that unchallenged behaviour doesn’t change. Those seeking to address harassment or bullying have invariably found collective action to be more likely to bring success.