Workplace Bullying Or Harassment: The Differences

May 25, 2008 – 11:26 pm

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment
Questions & Answers (Q&A)
workplace bullying

Bullying Guide


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.


Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Pictures

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Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Videos

Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace
The Terrible Impacts of Bullying!
12th Annual National Day of Silence
Workplace Mobbing and Community Mobbing
Part 1 My Personal Story
Telling Does No Good


Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question & Answers

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 1


What's the best way to beat Bullying and Harassment at my workplace?

It's a subtle situation, things don't happen straight at my face but I can see that it's really bad... I wouldn't like to talk to my boss or anyone about that as I feel I represent the minority at the company...

Answer:
I haven't really anything to add to the advice already given but you could try ringing the Bullying At Word Advice Line - 0870 60 70 310. I've also posted a few links below though , which I hope will help. All the best.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 2


If you were a lawmaker, would you consider workplace bullying to be illegal?

Unfortunately, no laws were made to go against it. It's the bullying the causes a hostile work environment. And proving work harassment/bullying is very difficult in court. Being bullied results in health issues such as heart disease, stroke, and long-term stress.

Answer:
I would totally make that illegal. I actually dealt with the same issue for over a year at my last job. I even had an investigation opened with HR about it, which basically got nowhere except for retaliation from the bosses. I still have nightmares about that place. No one should have to put up with being treated like that, especially in a professional environment.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 3


When can someone sue for workplace bullying?What if it is a worker who is not that great?

My Dad has a small business. He has an employee working for him who is mediocore at best.Today he heard this guy saying that company policies were "ridiculous and crazy" My Dad can be a bit hotheaded, and really cussed the guy out, but in private in his office. No one else heard it. (my Dad told me later what happened)The employee has tried to get bossy, even though he is not a manager, on a few occasions before, and today my dad finally just got sick of it.The employee also took it upon himself to delete things from the computer without asking last week. I stopped by the office at the end of the day..the guy was muttering something about suing for harassment or bullying as he was leaving. Is reprimanding an employee for poor attitude and performance bullying? What will happen if this guy talks to a lawyer? Should he get rid of this guy? Would an atty take the case? My Dad has had to yell at him before for differen t things. This guy is the first out the door every day. It is an auto repair shop, no union. The employee though my Dad was charging a customer too much for labor on a repair.He charged the customer the book rate

Answer:
There are times when a manager has to have a talk with an employee as a result of an action. Under those conditions, it is best that the manager take notes of what caused the meeting to take place and what was said in the meeting. This should be done on all employees and be part of the personnel file. Company policies are there for a reason. Usually it does not say that everyone except John Smith can do this... It is general policy for everyone. It the policy is not followed, it opens the company up for risk of accidents, or law suits, or criminal activity. If your Dad has documentation to show that he has been a problem employee over a long period of time, then it shows that any law suit was sour grapes. If the employee can prove that someone else was doing the same thing, but did not get the same treatment. Then it would go in his favor.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 4


When can an employee sue for workplace bullying?

My Dad has a small business. He has an employee working for him who is mediocore at best.Today he heard this guy saying that company policies were "ridiculous and crazy" My Dad can be a bit hotheaded, and really cussed the guy out, but in private in his office. No one else heard it. (my Dad told me later what happened)The employee has tried to get bossy, even though he is not a manager, on a few occasions before, and today my dad finally just got sick of it.The employee also took it upon himself to delete things from the computer without asking last week. I stopped by the office at the end of the day..the guy was muttering something about suing for harassment or bullying as he was leaving. Is reprimanding an employee for poor attitude and performance bullying? What will happen if this guy talks to a lawyer? Should he get rid of this guy? Would an atty take the case? My Dad has had to yell at him before for different things. This guy is the first out the door every day. There is no union. It is an auto repair shop

Answer:
As your dad has taken the pains to redress, this employee in private, the employee has not been embarrassed in front of his co-workers. I would suggest that your dad "paper trail" this employee, and document everything that the employee does wrong. If this person is an employee at will, he may be let go at any time, without a reason being given, however by documenting all that the employee has done, and any "counseling sessions", which your dad gave him, it would be easier to justify the termination.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 5


Is workplace harassment legal?

Is workplace harassment legal? The name for it is Mobbing and Bullying is it legal in the workplace?

Answer:
In the UK, it is illegal

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 6


Is workplace harassment legal?

Is workplace harassment legal? The name for it is Mobbing and Bullying is it legal in the workplace? What can be done in order to have the issues taken care of if HR is not doing about it other than allowing the situation to contniue to go on. Is there any legal help for this? I was told by a lawyer that if it does not have anything to do with EEOC guidelines than what can be done? Someone please help me. I was also terminated for filing complaints making me out to be a trouble maker and a liar all while I am now pregnant. Can some one help me and tell me what I can do?

Answer:
Were you pregnant before you were fired? If so, you may be able to file an EEOC complaint due to pregnancy discrimination. If you were not under a union or an employment contract the employer can fire you for anything EXCEPT discrimination. Those discrimination bases are on the EEOC site and your state's human rights dept. Each state has a dept or commission that handles employment discrimination. If your treatment WAS NOT due to discrimination, there is nothing you can do.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 7


Have you been a victim of workplace bullying, if so, by whom (boss,coworker,subordinate)?

I am a professional expert on 'workplace bullying.' In the USA, most workers are aware of 'sexual harassment' & 'hostile work environment' & we have laws against this. "Workplace bullying' is a larger, more umbrella term, that includes the entire gamut of all negative, non-supportive, undermining behaviors towards an employee, whether the source is from a boss, a coworker, or a subordinate. Many other countries have strict laws against workplace bullying, in order to safeguard & ensure a more civil, socially just workplace for its citizens. These include Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Sweden (where original research was done & wpb term originated), the UK, to name a few. Efforts are underway to bring more protective laws to the USA, although change is slow. I am writing a book on the subject, & am seeking interviewees for case studies for the book. Your identity will remain confidential. If interested in being interviewed, contact me. If you are being bullied, do not stay silent.

Answer:
See, how does one know if you are an employer trying to see if people are talking against his company? And I find it is never good to talk against a company and fight with them. Many times, you can work with them and you will find that you are not really being bullied. Rather, they would just like things done a certain way. Maybe they don't always have the best way of conveying that information, but they are human beings, too. If you get talked to, that is your chance to voice your opinion also, and the two parties can mull over it separately and try to adjust to the way the other does things. I have adjusted in what seemed like the most difficult situations ever. I feel bad about myself at times. And yes, at first, I felt I was being bullied and that everyone was out to get me. But they weren't. They said how they felt, I said how I felt, neither made a huge deal out of it, and on we went with the workday. But good changes came out of it. Bottom line--people aren't at work to play. They're at work to work, and if they don't show up and do the work or if they create too many problems and distract from work to be done, they will be talked to. Eventually, they may be fired. That's just the way the world works. It seems cruel, but no busy manager needs an employee who is a headache. Moreover, no good will ever come from fighting with everybody, and those laws you speak of won't be enacted b/c certain states allow firings for no reason at all. Generally, if one does what is expected at work, there won't be a problem. If not, then the person can try to adjust. They are to listen to their superior and do as instructed. That is not being bullied.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 8


Has anyone fought workplace harassment?

I love my job, but there are two bullies at work making it miserable. The one is our lead and the other has also been there for a long time. I'm very very very close to quitting then realized whats going on is harassment. Has anyone been in this situation and fought back? Were you sucessful or did they just get a stap on the hand? Were you able to stay at the company, and did it ever really get resolved?

Answer:
No, but i was being sexualy harassed my a female worker, and now we are seeing each other in secret! But if you dont feel comfortable than go to the highest person in the company.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 9


Has anyone fought workplace harassment?

I love my job, but there are two bullies at work making it miserable. The one is our lead and the other has also been there for a long time. I'm very very very close to quitting then realized whats going on is harassment. Has anyone been in this situation and fought back? Were you sucessful or did they just get a stap on the hand? Were you able to stay at the company, and did it ever really get resolved?

Answer:
I would talk to your HR and let them know there is an issue, if you feel it is "safe" to report it. In any case, you have now reported the issue and even if nothing else happens, it shows up as being reported should someone "find another reason" to dismiss you. You might be able to show that it was a hostile work environment and that they just invented another reason to get rid of you. If your HR director is worth his salt, he or she will record the situation, defuse the situation, and remain on your side. NO HR Director wants ANY type of unfair practices on his or her watch.

Workplace Bullying Or Harassment Question: 10


Can I file a lawsuit if I was a victim of Sexual Harassment and workplace violence, even if he was fired?

I was sexually harassed and then kicked by the harasser. He was found to be in violation of whatever and fired last week. My stomach is still in knots and I get panic attacks and have since the kicking incident 3 weeks ago. Most of the people I work with won't even speak to me now and I am so uncomfortable at work. I used to love my job, but now I feel so sick when I arrive. I have no medical insurance, so I can't go to the doctor for medicine to help my nerves (although I don't know if there is any that I could take while working anyway). I am so stressed now and have a rather bad attitude when I am at work. It even carries to frustration at home. I was humiliated when I was kicked and even more humiliated that I was sexually harassed and bullied. Even though the manis no longer here, the emotional stress is getting to me. Can I file a lawsuit for emotional damage and possibly the harassment and physical violence even though the person no longer works here?

Answer:
It sounds like your company did everything in their power to take care of this man as soon as they were made aware of this issue. Unless there is a history of problems that your employer was made aware of but ignored, it's unlikely that you will have grounds to sue them. You may be able to sue this man for harrassment / assault as an individual, hopefully you did report this to the police as soon as it happened. As for the workplace environment, the company can't allow you to be harassed or abused as a result of what happened. They also can't force your co-workers to be nice to you and talk to you. You should talk to your Human Resources representative about what happened and the problems you are having since. They may be able to help you relax a bit at work or find a better solution to your problems. Keep in mind that if you continue to have a bad attitude at work, your employer might be forced to take disciplinary action against you. They aren't responsible for your empotional problems and will probably fire you as well if you become a disruption to their workplace. Unless you can prove that it was a punitive action (incredibly unlikely) you still won't have a lawsuit against the company.

Filed under: Bullying Guide: Learning About & Dealing With Bullying

  1. 4 Responses to “Workplace Bullying Or Harassment: The Differences”

  2. 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?

    By Susan Egging on Jun 7, 2008

  3. 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!!

    By missy on Jul 4, 2008

  4. Hi, Missy. You should read some of the question and answer above. It may give you more of what to do.

    By Anonymous on Jul 4, 2008

  5. 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

    By Heather on Jul 17, 2008

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