What is it

Workplace bullying affects thousands of Australian workers each year and has estimated financial costs of thirteen billions dollars per year. (Worksafe Victoria 2005). Workplace bullying can affect people’s job satisfaction and can impact people’s intention to leave their employment and find new employment (Djurkovic 2004). The Workplace Bullying Institute states that psychological/emotional injuries as a result of workplace bullying can include; anxiety, panic attacks, depression, PTSD, shame, guilt.

Worksafe NSW defines workplace bullying as, “repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety. It can occur in any workplace and can be harmful to you if you experience or witness it”.

What does it include

Examples of potential unreasonable behaviour include:

• offensive language or comments
• unjustified criticism
• deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities withholding information that is needed for work.

How can a psychologist help with bullying in the workplace

Psychologists can provide a range of evidence based therapies to respond to the negative effects of workplace bullying.

References

Worksafe Victoria (2005) New Campaign to Stop Workplace Bullying

Djurkovic. N, McCormack. D and Casimir. G. (2004) The Physical and Psychological Effects of Workplace Bullying and Their Relationship to Intention to Leave: A Test of the Psychosomatic and Disability Hypotheses. International Journal of Organization Theory and Behaviour. 7 (4) 469 – 497

Workplace Bullying Institute – Mental Health Harm. Retrieved 10/01/17 http://www.workplacebullying.org/individuals/impact/mental-health-harm/

Worksafe NSW http://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/health-and-safety/safety-topics-a-z/bullying/workplace-bullying

If you require additional information, please call our office on 07 3256 6320. Our mental health focused reception staff will be only too happy to assist you with your enquiry about our service and can suggest the most suitable Psychologist for your concern.