It is a non-physical form of workplace violence. While bullying is a form of aggression, the actions can be both obvious and subtle. It is important to note that the following is not a checklist, nor does it mention all forms of bullying. There is no way to predict who may be the bully or the target.

This list is included as a way of showing some of the ways bullying may happen in a workplace. Also remember that bullying is usually considered to be a pattern of behaviour where one or more incidents will help show that bullying is taking place, but it may be one incident, especially one that has a lasting effect.

Examples include:

• Spreading malicious rumours, gossip, or innuendo.
• Excluding or isolating someone socially.
• Intimidating a person.
• Undermining or deliberately impeding a person’s work.
• Physically abusing or threatening abuse.
• Removing areas of responsibilities without cause.
• Constantly changing work guidelines.
• Establishing impossible deadlines that will set up the individual to fail.
• Withholding necessary information or purposefully giving the wrong information.
• Making jokes that are ‘obviously offensive’ by spoken word or e-mail.
• Intruding on a person’s privacy by pestering, spying or stalking.
• Assigning unreasonable duties or workload which are unfavourable to one person (in a way that creates unnecessary pressure).
• Underwork – creating a feeling of uselessness.
• Yelling or using profanity.
• Criticizing a person persistently or constantly.
• Belittling a person’s opinions.
• Unwarranted (or undeserved) punishment.
• Blocking applications for training, leave or promotion.
• Tampering with a person’s personal belongings or work equipment.

References:

• https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/psychosocial/bullying.html
• https://workplacebullying.org