Harassment and bullying can sometimes be confused; harassment is generally unwanted and offending behaviour usually on a racial or sexual theme. Sexual harassment occurs when the attacks happen based on your gender or sexual orientation. Racial harassment is when the attacks happen because of the colour of your skin, race or cultural background.
Bullying is persistent unwanted behaviour which hurts or threatens a person regardless of sex or race. Harassment is covered by the discrimination act and the protection from harassment act but bullying is not, so clear decisions have to be made to determine whether you are the victim of harassment or being bullied. The main differences between bullying in the workplace and harassment are:
Harassment
Usually has a physical edge to it such as touching, intrusion into your personal space and damage done to your possessions.
Bullying
Is mostly psychological for example criticism about work or stealing work from you to use as their ideas.
Harassment
You are the focus of attention because of who you are for example, a woman, the colour of your skin or disabled.
Bullying
Anyone will do regardless of the colour of skin, sex or competence.
Harassment
Could just be a few incidents or many over time.
Bullying
Bullying is very rarely just a single occurrence and happens frequently.
Harassment
The victim realises they are being harassed straight away.
Bullying
The victim doesn’t realise what is happening to them at first.
Harassment
If there is an assault it is usually of a sexual or indecent nature.
Bullying
Bullying almost never consists of assaults of a sexual nature but mainly physical such as pushing or punching and is often mental abuse.
Harassment
There is often an element of being possessive for example stalking a person.
Bullying
Bullying is usually about controlling the person there and then, for example frightening someone or making them feel small in front of others.
Harassment
Offensive language relating to the colour of your skin or sex is often used such as “bitch” or “nigger”.
Bullying
Swear words can be used but in a different context and usually to state that you are useless or worthless.
Harassment
The problem occurs with the person both in and outside of work.
Bullying
The problem with the person only occurs in the workplace.
Harassment
The person sees the victim as easy prey.
Bullying
The victim is seen as a threat which must be controlled.
Harassment
The person will often have specific inadequacies in their life such as sexual problems.
Bullying
The bully will be inadequate in all areas of life.
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Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question & Answers
Filed under: Bullying Guide: Learning About & Dealing With Bullying
I have been a teacher and school administrator. I have witnessed 1st hand the bullying that goes on and when I have tried to do something about it, I was asked to resign. I want to do something about the bullies in the workplace and wonder who to contact to talk about ideas that I have. Do you have any suggestions?
i am a hairstylist, and i am sick and tired of people i work with that thrive on drama, making belittling comments directed toward me. I have gone to my immediate supervisor, her supervisor, and left a voice mail message for her supervisor, and we still have issues. Today was my breaking point, i told my boss either she gets her off my shifts or i’m out.
HELP!!
I am currently being harrassed by a coworker, I went to my boss and was told that it was petty and to get over it, the coworker was also told. She came up to me and went off, threating me bodily harm. And I reported it and was told there was nothing that could be done since noone wants to say that they saw anything. What do I do now, before something really bad happens and noone sees it? Help
work in an educational system where there is
no union for protection of one’s workplace
rights. The chair of the department has
written two negative evaluations on me and
both contain very general and vague statements
that have no factual circumstances to back up
his statements. He has on two occasions
told me that by going to HR and the Dean’s Office in confidence is not to his detriment
but to mine. His deputy chair also wrote
some very demeaning statements in his recent
annual report and then sent them to an email
server where twenty-four faculty members could
view them in a software called tex. How
should one proceed on this sensitive issue?
Is there a legal case for suing and can one
sue the individual that has posted false
information about them on an internet server?
Please let me know what is your advice and
suggestions. Thanks.
I’m sick of having to justify my personal actions to others in my office, just because they may seem strange to them or are unusual to them. These are the same people who never ask me to go for coffee or lunch and then turn around and say ‘why do you eat lunch on your own’. I’m not sure if this is bullying but it makes me feel victimised.
To Anonymous: You sure are, and make no mistake.
In my opinion, they know they’re not really being very nice to you, but want you to feel all the responsibility for it. You are absolutely right! Unless your actions are directly and purposely effecting them in a negative way, you do not have to justify them. There are many different ways of thinking and behaving, and for one person or group of people to believe that their way is the only way is positively narrow minded. So, try not to worry yourself too much. Seems to me, the problem is theirs. I hope you feel better.
Hi, I’m so glad to have found your blog – I was beginning to think I was on my own out here.
I write a blog as a resource for parents and grandparents in bringing up children responsibly and try to major on child welfare, child development and parenting so it’s great to find a resource on something that affects all ages, particularly children.
I shall be putting a general link to your blog in my bloglinks and will also link to appropriate articles as and when I either use or refer to them in my posts. I trust this meets with your approval and look forward to reading more of your articles and reader comments.
I was fired due to the fact, I had recently reported a co-worker bulling me on the job and that she was rude did not know how to talk to me in a proper manner and was provoked me to fight her. So just this morning that’s what happen she approached me with her violent ways and I did not know what to expect from her when she came rushing me so I attacked her and put her to the floor. The HR and the plant manger knew of my situation with this lady and nothing was done to avoid us having any contact with one another. Is there anything I can do about this horrible situation.
I am glad I found this blog and information. On March 8, 2008, I was terminated after requesting an audit on our office, but was told that my termination was not due to “retaliation”. They offered me a severance package, and gave me unclear reasons for the termination. At the time of termination, I was the service manager, marketing and advertising manager, and the sales assistant for a heating and air conditioning company. I performed all duties since June 1, 2006 but was not properly compensated as promised until December 22, 2007. At the time of my termination, I brought home less than I was making as an hourly employee and was worked 10-hour days, 7 days a week. The HR clerk told me that after receiving a disturbing letter from a co-worker at my company about me, they decided to fly out and interview all of the office staff regarding me. The entire office staff “all said the same thing about me”, is what the HR clerk stated to me. The writer of the disturbing letter has been HARASSING me for the entire 4 years I have worked there, and for an additional 2 years prior to this. I quit working for this company in 1998 after performing “extra job duties” and not being compensated properly and for the harassment from the same individual. The general manager asked me to come back to work for him and stated that the individual that had caused all the problems before was no longer working for the company so I returned after being given many, many promises of a great future with his company. This will never happen now. The harassing employee was hired back after I was there 6 months by the operations manager and did so against the company policy. The employee was taking medication for a mental disorder and in order to be re-hired, it needed to be approved by the HR department and by the General Manager.
My request for an audit resulted after the general manager and I found hidden in an individuals drawer: several checks not deposited and unbilled warranties all for my department. She was withholding revenue for my department, trying to make me look bad. They were from December 2007 and it was then February 2008. I also complained about the above-mentioned employee (my harasser) and the different violations to company policy that she had been performing causing my department, dispatchers, and technicians all great stress and extra work. I have documentation on all of my complaints to the HR department for the entire 4 years. After many, many discussions with the General Manager, HR rep, operations manager, and many, many promises of a “better workplace” NEVER HAPPENING -they fired me? I feel they fired me because it was easier to get rid of 1 person, than fire 2 or 3 employees that were causing the problems. My harasser is very violent, evil, and dishonest in front of the entire staff. I was threatened physically by several employees with witnesses, my vehicle was vandalized several times while at work and at home by the same individuals, my work and personal computers were tampered with, my office at work was broken into on several occasions and work and personal property was removed, I was yelled and cussed out by 3 individuals and never once were any of them disciplined for any of their actions! I never threatened, or cussed out any of my co-workers, but was fired and thrown out like a piece of garbage.
I declined their so-called severance package offer, they wanted me to accept $30,000, sign an agreement that said that I “QUIT”, and to drop any legal claims against them with the Labor Board and with the worker’s comp insurance. The wages I feel they owe me are in the amount of $43,000 for the period in which I was promised a wage, given that wage for a few weeks, then dropped back to a lower wage until being put on salary in December 2007. I also stated to them other claims of payment due to various things that I was suppose to receive and did not. The total claim was for $125,000, which at this time I am waiting for my hearing with the California Labor Board Commissioners office. I have boxes of documentation showing discrimination, bullying, harassment, and they are in receipt of only a few.
The general manager and I were friends and worked well together, as did many people there. The bullying, jealousy and evilness of this one employee as resulted in my termination. I have become extremely depressed, and am having panic attacks each and every time I have to discuss anything to do with my employment at that company or even the thought of starting a new job and a new career anywhere.
I know I have many issues and it is hard to put any of it into a short version, but by what I have written, do you think if I go all the way and take legal action with the courts, I have a chance at winning my case?
Thanks, Trish
I have a co-worker that is toxic to our work environment. The first department told one person in her second department to watch out, she is trouble. Her second position within the company was eliminated and our department had to take her and this took place in June. One employee in her second department said she was psycho but I had some nice conversations with her and believed she would work out fine. I did mention this fact to the boss. This is her third position in three years. I could not have been so wrong about her. She has a hard core gruff exterior and has bullied one other person in our department beside myself. That person was almost fired and decided to walk on eggshells around her so he could keep his job. After that, she turned to me because she seems to have to bully someone to make herself happy. Her MO is that she is in constant state of watchfulness until you make a mistake and she pounce on it to the boss. She states it so that you are viewed as incompetent or negligent. She likes to discredit anything I say or do to my coworkers. Our once very productive department and friendly environment where all the coworkers enjoyed each other no long apply. We are told to tread lightly around her.
After being reprimanded so many times from the boss I have started to feel that I can not do anything right. The boss believes we should do everything we can to appease the bully. I do not think the boss wants to hear the complaints anymore and that we should do something about our behavior, not the bully to stop her behavior problems. The panic attacks, lack of focus, sleepless nights and a total state of depression are an on going process in a job I once really enjoyed. I want to leave so bad but our economy is so uncertain. I am researching an action plan and hope to have some kind of resolution. I am not going to take it anymore!
I have been a teacher and school administrator. I have witnessed 1st hand the bullying that goes on and when I have tried to do something about it, I was asked to resign. I want to do something about the bullies in the workplace and wonder who to contact to talk about ideas that I have. Do you have any suggestions?
i am a hairstylist, and i am sick and tired of people i work with that thrive on drama, making belittling comments directed toward me. I have gone to my immediate supervisor, her supervisor, and left a voice mail message for her supervisor, and we still have issues. Today was my breaking point, i told my boss either she gets her off my shifts or i’m out.
HELP!!
Hi, Missy. You should read some of the question and answer above. It may give you more of what to do.
I am currently being harrassed by a coworker, I went to my boss and was told that it was petty and to get over it, the coworker was also told. She came up to me and went off, threating me bodily harm. And I reported it and was told there was nothing that could be done since noone wants to say that they saw anything. What do I do now, before something really bad happens and noone sees it? Help
work in an educational system where there is
no union for protection of one’s workplace
rights. The chair of the department has
written two negative evaluations on me and
both contain very general and vague statements
that have no factual circumstances to back up
his statements. He has on two occasions
told me that by going to HR and the Dean’s Office in confidence is not to his detriment
but to mine. His deputy chair also wrote
some very demeaning statements in his recent
annual report and then sent them to an email
server where twenty-four faculty members could
view them in a software called tex. How
should one proceed on this sensitive issue?
Is there a legal case for suing and can one
sue the individual that has posted false
information about them on an internet server?
Please let me know what is your advice and
suggestions. Thanks.
By Wayne on Aug 6, 2008
I’m sick of having to justify my personal actions to others in my office, just because they may seem strange to them or are unusual to them. These are the same people who never ask me to go for coffee or lunch and then turn around and say ‘why do you eat lunch on your own’. I’m not sure if this is bullying but it makes me feel victimised.
To Anonymous: You sure are, and make no mistake.
In my opinion, they know they’re not really being very nice to you, but want you to feel all the responsibility for it. You are absolutely right! Unless your actions are directly and purposely effecting them in a negative way, you do not have to justify them. There are many different ways of thinking and behaving, and for one person or group of people to believe that their way is the only way is positively narrow minded. So, try not to worry yourself too much. Seems to me, the problem is theirs. I hope you feel better.
Hi, I’m so glad to have found your blog – I was beginning to think I was on my own out here.
I write a blog as a resource for parents and grandparents in bringing up children responsibly and try to major on child welfare, child development and parenting so it’s great to find a resource on something that affects all ages, particularly children.
I shall be putting a general link to your blog in my bloglinks and will also link to appropriate articles as and when I either use or refer to them in my posts. I trust this meets with your approval and look forward to reading more of your articles and reader comments.
Grampa Starling.
I was fired due to the fact, I had recently reported a co-worker bulling me on the job and that she was rude did not know how to talk to me in a proper manner and was provoked me to fight her. So just this morning that’s what happen she approached me with her violent ways and I did not know what to expect from her when she came rushing me so I attacked her and put her to the floor. The HR and the plant manger knew of my situation with this lady and nothing was done to avoid us having any contact with one another. Is there anything I can do about this horrible situation.
I am glad I found this blog and information. On March 8, 2008, I was terminated after requesting an audit on our office, but was told that my termination was not due to “retaliation”. They offered me a severance package, and gave me unclear reasons for the termination. At the time of termination, I was the service manager, marketing and advertising manager, and the sales assistant for a heating and air conditioning company. I performed all duties since June 1, 2006 but was not properly compensated as promised until December 22, 2007. At the time of my termination, I brought home less than I was making as an hourly employee and was worked 10-hour days, 7 days a week. The HR clerk told me that after receiving a disturbing letter from a co-worker at my company about me, they decided to fly out and interview all of the office staff regarding me. The entire office staff “all said the same thing about me”, is what the HR clerk stated to me. The writer of the disturbing letter has been HARASSING me for the entire 4 years I have worked there, and for an additional 2 years prior to this. I quit working for this company in 1998 after performing “extra job duties” and not being compensated properly and for the harassment from the same individual. The general manager asked me to come back to work for him and stated that the individual that had caused all the problems before was no longer working for the company so I returned after being given many, many promises of a great future with his company. This will never happen now. The harassing employee was hired back after I was there 6 months by the operations manager and did so against the company policy. The employee was taking medication for a mental disorder and in order to be re-hired, it needed to be approved by the HR department and by the General Manager.
My request for an audit resulted after the general manager and I found hidden in an individuals drawer: several checks not deposited and unbilled warranties all for my department. She was withholding revenue for my department, trying to make me look bad. They were from December 2007 and it was then February 2008. I also complained about the above-mentioned employee (my harasser) and the different violations to company policy that she had been performing causing my department, dispatchers, and technicians all great stress and extra work. I have documentation on all of my complaints to the HR department for the entire 4 years. After many, many discussions with the General Manager, HR rep, operations manager, and many, many promises of a “better workplace” NEVER HAPPENING -they fired me? I feel they fired me because it was easier to get rid of 1 person, than fire 2 or 3 employees that were causing the problems. My harasser is very violent, evil, and dishonest in front of the entire staff. I was threatened physically by several employees with witnesses, my vehicle was vandalized several times while at work and at home by the same individuals, my work and personal computers were tampered with, my office at work was broken into on several occasions and work and personal property was removed, I was yelled and cussed out by 3 individuals and never once were any of them disciplined for any of their actions! I never threatened, or cussed out any of my co-workers, but was fired and thrown out like a piece of garbage.
I declined their so-called severance package offer, they wanted me to accept $30,000, sign an agreement that said that I “QUIT”, and to drop any legal claims against them with the Labor Board and with the worker’s comp insurance. The wages I feel they owe me are in the amount of $43,000 for the period in which I was promised a wage, given that wage for a few weeks, then dropped back to a lower wage until being put on salary in December 2007. I also stated to them other claims of payment due to various things that I was suppose to receive and did not. The total claim was for $125,000, which at this time I am waiting for my hearing with the California Labor Board Commissioners office. I have boxes of documentation showing discrimination, bullying, harassment, and they are in receipt of only a few.
The general manager and I were friends and worked well together, as did many people there. The bullying, jealousy and evilness of this one employee as resulted in my termination. I have become extremely depressed, and am having panic attacks each and every time I have to discuss anything to do with my employment at that company or even the thought of starting a new job and a new career anywhere.
I know I have many issues and it is hard to put any of it into a short version, but by what I have written, do you think if I go all the way and take legal action with the courts, I have a chance at winning my case?
Thanks, Trish
I have a co-worker that is toxic to our work environment. The first department told one person in her second department to watch out, she is trouble. Her second position within the company was eliminated and our department had to take her and this took place in June. One employee in her second department said she was psycho but I had some nice conversations with her and believed she would work out fine. I did mention this fact to the boss. This is her third position in three years. I could not have been so wrong about her. She has a hard core gruff exterior and has bullied one other person in our department beside myself. That person was almost fired and decided to walk on eggshells around her so he could keep his job. After that, she turned to me because she seems to have to bully someone to make herself happy. Her MO is that she is in constant state of watchfulness until you make a mistake and she pounce on it to the boss. She states it so that you are viewed as incompetent or negligent. She likes to discredit anything I say or do to my coworkers. Our once very productive department and friendly environment where all the coworkers enjoyed each other no long apply. We are told to tread lightly around her.
After being reprimanded so many times from the boss I have started to feel that I can not do anything right. The boss believes we should do everything we can to appease the bully. I do not think the boss wants to hear the complaints anymore and that we should do something about our behavior, not the bully to stop her behavior problems. The panic attacks, lack of focus, sleepless nights and a total state of depression are an on going process in a job I once really enjoyed. I want to leave so bad but our economy is so uncertain. I am researching an action plan and hope to have some kind of resolution. I am not going to take it anymore!