What is workplace bullying?

Workplace bullying is any ongoing harmful or threatening behaviour by a person or group of people in your workplace that creates a risk to your health and safety. It can happen in any kind of workplace, and the person or group doesn’t need to be a manager or someone in a position of power over you. Bullying and harassment in the workplace can come from co-workers just as much as it can come from your boss.

Common examples of bullying in the workplace

Workplace bullying can look and feel different for each person who experiences it. Often, bullying in the workplace can happen out of sight but sometimes bullying can happen right in front of your colleagues and go unpunished. It's important to recognise that bullying in the workplace doesn't just include physical attacks or threats of violence, it can also include emotional harm and harassment.

Physical forms of workplace bullying

Physical workplace bullying can involve violence or threats of violence made against you. Whilst the person bullying you may be in a position of power or deems it as ‘part of the job’ or ‘what you deserve’, attempting to cause physical harm to others in the workplace is never ok.

Some examples of physical bullying in the workplace include:

• physical violence, from pushing and tripping to outright attacks

• threatening phone calls or texts, including threatening you with workplace equipment like knives or drills

• insulting, yelling, or swearing at you

• initiation or ‘hazing’ rituals where you have to do something unacceptable, humiliating or illegal.

Emotional forms of workplace bullying

Whilst the signs of physical bullying in the workplace can be easier to identify, emotional workplace bullying can often go undetected. Emotional workplace bullying involves inflicting harm on others to damage their personal and professional identity. It’s important to remember that, if you feel someone is intentionally (or unintentionally) acting in a way to harm you, you should trust your instincts and seek support.

Some examples of emotional bullying in the workplace include:

• discriminating against you based on your identity (e.g. discrimination against your race, culture, gender, sexuality, disability, etc.)

• using blackmail against you

• hurtful comments making fun of you or your work

• spreading rumours, gossip or innuendo about you

• excluding you from workplace activities or conversations

• playing mind games or ‘ganging up’

• giving you pointless or demeaning tasks that don’t help you do your job

• making impossible demands or setting you up to fail

• using your roster to deliberately make things difficult for you

• withholding important information from you.

What is not considered workplace bullying?

Even though some things may seem unfair, they might not be considered bullying in the workplace. Your boss can fire, transfer, demote or discipline you, as long as they have a good reason. Sometimes it’s perfectly legitimate for your manager to be critical of your performance, especially if you haven’t been doing well or your work is up for review. It’s their job to manage the quality of your work.

Workplace bullying and the law

If you are under 18, bullying might also be child abuse. If the bullying is violent, it might also be a crime and you can report it to the police. This includes sexual or indecent assault, physical assaults, threatening you or damaging your property.

If the bullying caused you mental harm and you had to take time off, or seek help regarding your health, you may be able to claim worker’s compensation. If you feel like this has happened to you, tell your employer as soon as possible and make sure they tell their insurer.

Workplace discrimination is when someone treats you differently (not just meanly) at work based on a personal characteristic, such as being pregnant or being gay. For example, it would be discrimination if you were being made fun of just because you have a disability, or because you’re female. Learn more about discrimination and what you can do about it.

How do I report workplace bullying?

There are a few things you can do to report workplace bullying. 

• Keep a private record of the date, time and nature of the bullying. It can help to record exactly what was said while it’s fresh in your mind.

• Check your workplace’s bullying policy to see what steps you can take to raise the issue internally.

• Ask the person to stop the bullying behaviour. This can seem intimidating but could be worth trying, especially if the other person isn’t aware their behaviour is bullying.

• Talk to your manager or HR about what you’ve experienced and use the record you’ve kept documenting incidents to show them exactly what’s been going on.

If none of these steps work you can submit an anti-bullying form through the Fair Work Commission. They can also give you information about their anti-bullying process and help you submit the form if you need support. Read more about how to deal with workplace bullying.

Who's responsible for stopping bullying?

At work, employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace, which means one that's free of bullying. This means that by law if you report bullying behaviour, your employer has to go through a proper process for handling your complaint.

If you see someone in the workplace being bullied, you also have the opportunity to help. You could reach out to the person being bullied to support them, and report the behaviour they’re experiencing if necessary.

If you’re dealing with sexual harassment or bullying in the workplace, Australia’s Fair Work Ombusdman can help you understand your rights and protections at work and how to get help. The Australian Human Rights Commission also has more information on workplace bullying such as how bullying can affect your work, how to get help and other useful resources.