1. Key Understanding
Bullying is not just something that happens in school—it also happens in workplaces.
Workplace bullying is when:
A person or group repeatedly behaves in a way that makes someone feel intimidated, humiliated, excluded, or distressed.
It can happen:
- Between colleagues
- From managers to staff
- From groups toward one individual
2. How Workplace Bullying Feels
If someone is being bullied, they may feel:
- Anxious or stressed
- Confused or unsure what’s happening
- Angry or frustrated
- Depressed or low
- Isolated or unsupported
It can also affect:
- Work performance
- Confidence
- Physical health
- Family and home life
👉 Important: Bullying is never something you just have to “put up with.” Support is available.
3. Types of Workplace Bullying
Bullying at work can include:
👄 Verbal and emotional bullying
- Being shouted at
- Harsh or constant criticism
- Being spoken to disrespectfully
🙈 Social exclusion
- Being ignored or left out
- Not invited to meetings or events
- Being isolated from the team
😡 Psychological bullying
- Intimidation
- Threatening behaviour
- Aggressive management styles
😓 Humiliation and embarrassment
- Being mocked in front of others
- Cruel jokes at your expense
- Public criticism
🗣️ Reputation damage
- Spreading rumours
- Gossiping
- Undermining someone’s work
4. Signs Someone May Be Experiencing Bullying
- Avoiding work or calling in sick often
- Low confidence or self-esteem
- Anxiety or panic
- Reduced performance
- Withdrawal from colleagues
- Emotional distress
5. What To Do If You Are Being Bullied
🤝 Step 1: Talk to someone you trust
- A colleague
- Friend
- Family member
This helps reduce isolation and gives emotional support.
🗣️ Step 2: Speak to the person (if safe)
If you feel able:
- Calmly explain how their behaviour affects you
- Be clear that it needs to stop
👉 If this feels unsafe, skip this step.
🧑💼 Step 3: Report to management or HR
- Speak to your manager
- Or go directly to HR
If your manager is the problem:
- Speak to a higher manager
📝 Step 4: Keep records
Write down every incident:
- Date and time
- Location
- What happened
- Who was involved
- Any witnesses
👉 This is very important for formal complaints.
📖 Step 5: Know your workplace policies
Check:
- Bullying policy
- Grievance procedure
- Staff handbook
📢 Step 6: Make a formal complaint
Do this if:
- The issue is not taken seriously
- The bullying continues
- You are unhappy with how it is handled
⚖️ Step 7: Consider legal action
If the issue is unresolved:
- You may take your case to an employment tribunal
6. Legal Rights (Important)
In the UK, bullying linked to disability (including learning disabilities) may be considered harassment, which is illegal under:
👉 Equality Act 2010
Employers have a duty to:
- Protect staff from harm
- Prevent discrimination
- Provide a safe working environment
For guidance, people often seek help from:
👉 Citizens Advice
7. Supporting Someone Else (Carers & Colleagues)
If someone tells you they are being bullied:
- Listen without judgement
- Take them seriously
- Encourage them to seek help
- Offer to support them in reporting
- Help them record incidents
👉 Support can make a huge difference.
📘 EASY READ VERSION
Bullying at Work
💡 What is bullying?
Bullying is when someone:
- Is unkind again and again
- Makes someone feel upset or scared
- Leaves someone out on purpose
😔 How it can feel
You may feel:
- Sad
- Worried
- Angry
- Alone
👀 What bullying can look like
- Being shouted at
- Being ignored
- People making jokes about you
- Being left out
- Rumours being spread
🛑 What you can do
- Tell someone you trust
- Speak to your manager or HR
- Write down what happens
- Ask for help
⚖️ Your rights
You have the right to:
- Feel safe at work
- Be treated with respect
- Not be bullied
🌟 Important message
You are not alone.
Help and support are available.
🧭 WORKPLACE TRAINING CHECKLIST (FOR STAFF & MANAGERS)
✔ Prevention
- Promote respectful behaviour
- Encourage inclusion
- Have clear anti-bullying policies
- Train staff regularly
✔ Early intervention
- Take concerns seriously
- Act quickly
- Monitor team dynamics
✔ Response
- Record incidents
- Follow HR procedures
- Protect the person affected
- Address behaviour appropriately
✔ Ongoing support
- Check in regularly
- Provide emotional support
- Review workplace culture
📊 QUICK SUMMARY
- Bullying happens in workplaces as well as schools
- It can be emotional, social, verbal, or psychological
- It affects mental health, work, and home life
- There are clear steps to report and challenge it
- Legal protections exist, especially around discrimination
- Support from others is key
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