Many of us have heard about workplace harassment or bullying. This is an OH&S concern, and is now covered in legislation by the province's OH&S Act.
[From Homewood Health]:
How can you tell if you're experiencing bullying behaviour?
- Would most reasonable people consider the behaviour of others towards you unacceptable?
- Are you spending a lot of time defending your actions and seeking support from your co-workers?
What can you do if you're experiencing bullying behaviour?
- Keep a factual journal of events. Record the dats, times, witnesses, what happened (as in much details as possible) and the outcome. Record the number and frequency of events to establish a pattern of bullying
- Keep copies of any letters, emails, memos or texts you receive from the person who is making you feel bullied
- Keep copies of performance appraisals or references that prove you can do your job effectively. Continue doing your job to the best of your ability
- If you feel safe doing so, tell the person engaging in this behaviour that the behaviour is unwelcome, unwanted, and is making you uncomfortable. You can do this by:
- Describing the behaviours, explain why you feel it's unacceptable, and describe how it affects you
- Focus on the problem, not the person. Use "I " language and describe what the impact of it is (ex. "I feel like our coworkers lose confidence in my abilities when you criticize me in front of them."
- Tell the person firmly that you want this behaviour to stop
- If you need support to take this step, ask a witness to be present or nearby when you approach the person.
If you do not feel comfortable talking to the individual in person:
- You can send them an email (you will have a record of the communication)
- Avoid being alone with them
- When you communicate with them, stick to the issues and the facts, and stay as calm as possible. Walk away if the person makes threats, starts to get angry, or starts acting peculiar.
- Stay connected with your coworkers and others - avoid becoming isolated!
- Resist the urge to retaliate - it can result in a counter-complaint against you for the same kind of issues
What can you do if the bullying continues?
-Speak with your supervisor about it - present your concerns in a professional, factual way. Bring your record of the bullying with you, including the names of any witnesses;
-If your supervisor is the one who you feel is bullying you, talk with your supervisor's manager;
-You may also be able to find support from your union, the resources identified in the Harassment Policy or Sexual Violence Policy, or HR staff.
Click here to read how the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act defines Harassment and Violence.