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Bullying, Victimisation and Harassment

Bullying, harassment and victimisation should not be tolerated in the workplace, but if you are being treated in this way it can be difficult to know what to do about it.

Harassment

Is related to a protected characteristic, which has the effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

Bullying

Is Offensive or intimidating behaviour to denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying and harassment are not necessarily face-to-face. They may also occur in written communications, email, texting, telephone and by recording telephone messages.

Bullying and harassment make someone feel anxious and humiliated. Some people may try to retaliate whilst others may become frightened and demotivated. Stress, loss of selfconfidence and self-esteem caused by harassment or bullying can lead to job insecurity, illness, and absence from work, and even resignation.

Bullying or harassment may be by an individual against an individual (sometimes even by a manager) or involve a group of people. It may be obvious or it may be insidious. Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted and unwelcome. Examples of this behaviour are:

  • spreading malicious rumours, or insulting someone by word or behaviour (particularly on the grounds

  • of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation and religion or belief)

  • ridiculing or demeaning someone – picking on them or setting them up to fail

  • exclusion or unfair treatment, overbearing supervision or other misuse of power or position

  • unwelcome sexual advances – touching, standing too close, the display of offensive materials, asking for

  • sexual favours, making decisions on the basis of sexual advances being accepted or rejected

  • making threats or comments about job security without foundation

  • deliberately undermining a competent worker by overloading and constant criticism

  • preventing individuals progressing by intentionally blocking promotion or training opportunities.

Victimisation

Is less favourable treatment of someone compared to their peers because they, in good faith, have complained (formally or otherwise) that someone has been bullying or harassing them or someone else, or supported someone to make a complaint or given evidence in relation to a complaint.

Victimization is often extremely difficult to pinpoint and prove but may be able to be sorted out quickly in an informal way and employees can continue to receive pay while negotiations go on. The next step is to raise a grievance with the employer. This has to be done in writing. If this does not solve the problem, the employee can make a claim to an employment tribunal. There is a three-month time limit for making a claim to an employment tribunal, which runs from the date that the victimization took place.

This list is not exhaustive but shows the types of unfair punishment that could be applied by the employer or fellow workers as a result of the employee’s action:

  • Employer disciplines or dismisses the employee

  • Colludes to deny the employee the usual overtime opportunities or a bonus scheme

  • Enforces petty rules which were previously overlooked

  • Unreasonably refuses to agree holiday dates

  • Unreasonably excludes the employee from important meetings

  • Marginalizes the employee or “sends him/her to Coventry”

  • Pressurises the employee to drop the allegation

  • Threatens the employee with damage to their career if they persist with the allegation.

What can I do if I am being bullied, harassed or victimised?

If this is occurring in the workplace, this may vary depending on the size of your employer. Larger employers probably have a dedicated Human Resources team for handling such grievances and will have strict policies and procedures in place, you should consult with your workplace procedures. If you work for a very small company and may not feel comfortable approaching your line manager, there might not be an alternative route that you can take. If this happens then please speak with your assessor who will find out what support The Sheffield College can provide for you.

If this is occurring at The Sheffield College, you can ask our student support team for support, or you can ask one of the teaching staff on your course such as a lecturer or assessor. If you are not sure where to go or who to ask, go to the campus reception who can summon the support team to help you.