Bullying can occur in workplaces and have serious negative consequences. If an employee experiences bullying, they should first tell the bully to stop and seek advice from a health and safety representative if it continues. The employee should keep accurate records of bullying incidents and use workplace procedures to report it. Getting counselling or support from trusted coworkers can also help if the emotional impact is severe.

1. Bullying: What to do if it happens to you!
Not all workers are aware of what to do if they find themselves the victim of a workplace bully.
Most people are of the opinion that bullying is a juvenile activity, reserved only for the
schoolyard. But statistics have proven that bullying is rife in workplaces across Oz and the
consequences of this anti-social behaviour can be seen in every aspect of victim’s lives.
New and young workers are particular vulnerable to bullying however this is not the only type.
Supervisors and managers are also a major source of bullying because of abuse of authority.
If you feel bullied on site but are not sure if you will be taken seriously, there is recourse that
you can follow. Firstly tell the person doing the bullying that they are behaving in an
unreasonable manner and ask them to stop. If approaching them in a professional and calm
manner doesn’t work you can seek advice from your Health and Safety Representative.
You should also keep a clear and accurate record of the events as they occur, such as the
names of the people involved as well as those that witnessed the bullying. The records you
keep should focus on the facts and you can use the WHS procedures of your workplace to
report the incident.
There is no doubt that bullying can be emotionally taxing and result in depression which can
lead to serious consequences such as suicide. The emotional scars can be deep, so don’t try
to ignore bullying or handle it on your own. If necessary seek professional counselling or try
talking to people you trust at your workplace such as a supervisor, manger, health and safety
representative, union representative or someone from human resources.
http://www.whitecardonline.com.au/blog/my-category/bullying-what-to-do-if-it-happens-to-you/
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