Workplace bullying is common but often unrecognized. While there are laws against harassment and discrimination, direct complaints about bullying cannot be made to tribunals. It is best to first explore other options like speaking to the bully, managers, or union representatives. Keeping a diary of incidents can help if legal action becomes necessary. Bullying negatively impacts staff turnover, sickness, and stress levels across entire organizations.

1. Careers
your questions answered
❱❱ I think I’m being bullied at work, but I’m not
sure it counts as harassment. What can I do?
people on
Workplace bullying is commonplace, In terms of the legal position of an the move
© ToMAz LEvSTEK
although you might not think it. It is employee who feels bullied, it is down
extremely possible that someone to the employer to prevent harassing ❱❱ Rodney SlateR
whom a colleague or manager is behaviour. An organisational state- Toyota has named the former US
bullying may not consciously realise ment to all staff about the behaviour secretary of transportation as the
it is happening and certainly expected will make situations easier leader of its new independent qual-
may not mention this to for employers to deal with. It is not ity advisory panel. Rodney Slater
anyone. Behaviour that possible to make a direct complaint will head the panel in its investiga-
accounts to bullying to a tribunal about bullying, but there tion of whether an electronic throt-
includes unwar- are laws that cover discrimination and tle problem could be the cause of
ranted criticism, harassment. For example: reports of unintended acceleration
nit-picking, find- • Sex Discrimination Act in Toyota vehicles.
ing faults, exclu- • Race Relations Act, amended by
sion, spreading the Race Regulations in 2003 ❱❱ Ridzwan KaSim
rumours, being • Disability Discrimination Act The IEC National Committee of
treated different- • Employment Equality (Sexual Malaysia has appointed Ridzwan
ly, being verbally Orientation) Regulations Kasim as its secretary. Ridzwan
abused, having • Employment Equality (Religion or joined Malaysia’s Department of
written warnings Belief) Regulations Standards in May 2002, having
imposed and micro- • Employment Equality (Age) previously been a chemist with the
managing. It may be Regulations. Department of Chemistry.
an individual against an However, before it becomes neces-
individual, or involve a whole sary to turn to the law for help, it is ❱❱ RogeR PiePenStocK
group of people or department. better to explore other avenues first. Roger Piepenstock has joined
There are a number of reasons Speaking to the bully may be an op- consultancy Amnis to lead its lean
why bullying takes place. The most tion, in which case it should always be team within the local government
common is that the bully him or her- attempted. It’s also worth considering: and health sectors. Roger is a chief
self feels insecure or inadequate. By • Is there an organisational statement executive with experience in lean,
highlighting the failings of another, he that you can consult? business development, strategic
or she is trying to give the illusion of • Can you talk over problems with a planning and marketing both in the
superiority. line manager, union representative UK and overseas.
A bully’s behaviour can have sig- or colleague?
nificant effects on an entire organisa- • Has there been a change in man- ❱❱ elan lennaRd
tion, which is another reason why it agement or organisational structure Global Graphics, developer of print
cannot be ignored. Staff turnover will that you need time to adjust to? and e-document software, has
increase, as will sickness absence Talking the problem through with a appointed Elan Lennard as direc-
and stress breakdowns. Whole teams colleague should be a first port of call. tor of quality assurance. Elan has
might be induced to hand in their Keeping a diary of incidents will also more than 17 years’ experience of
notice if the bully holds a place in the be handy, particularly if the situation software design, development and
senior management team. does require you to go to a tribunal. quality assurance.
❱❱ yvo de BoeR
UN top climate change official Yvo
de Boer has announced his resig-
please email your useful links nation. The executive secretary of
career questions www.acas.org.uk the UN Framework Convention on
and job moves to www.bullyonline.org Climate Change announced that he
editorial@thecqi.org www.direct.gov.uk was leaving his post in March.
52 | APRIL 2010 | qw www.thecqi.org
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