How to address bullying and unsafe workplaces

Current statistics show that 1 out of every 4 employees in the UK experience bullying at work. Every employer wants to motivate, retain and attract talent but not all companies are aware of the non-inclusive practices. As a result, talent leaves the company, usually, the underrepresented employees with protected characteristic like age, race, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, ethnic background, disability, religion, marriage and civil partnership.

When you decided to address bullying and unsafe workplaces, you might have already experienced the following:

1. Being Shouted at
2. Being dismissed at expressing your views
3. Constantly being ignored in meetings, your voice is not heard or your opinion is not invited. Or even not being invited to key meetings
4. Unfair criticism
5. Being ignored for promotions, mentorships, education/trainings
6. Being told off, shouted at, with a patronising tone
7. Being belittled, undermined
8. Your complaints being ignored being accused of being too emotional, or playing the race card
9. Untrue rumours being spread
10. Meetings regularly held where your opinion is not considered or it's being ignored
11. Inappropriate jokes about your origins or culture
12. When resource for your team is not fairly allocated compared to other team members
13. Being invited permanently to raise a grievance if you are not satisfied with the workplace conditions
14. Being ignored to be part of key projects or key meetings
15. Your workload is being unfair, unjustified, being asked to work very late hours or to cover work for an unrealistic number of people
16. You are subject of micro-aggressions which are intentional or unintentional indignities: verbal, behavioural, environmental

If you have experienced or have been at the receiving end of any of the above practices/behaviours, you need to take the following steps:

• Raise the matter with your Manager or Human Resources
• Ask the respective bullies to stop and keep a record although the context is verbal
• If the bullying happens on a 1:1, verbally, make a follow up in writing and ask the respective individuals to stop
• Stand up and report
• Get familiar with the internal policies of gross misconduct and how to raise a grievance
• If your complaint is being ignored or not actioned, keep a record of events and instances
• Escalate it formally internally in writing again
• If no avail, you need to take legal actions.
• Connect with an empathetic employment lawyer
• Whilst being on this legal journey, look after yourself, protect your mental and physical health

Whilst the employers should take clear actions and implement serious consequences for bullying in the workplace, for gross misconduct, the employees should look after themselves and get clear legal guidance.

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For more detailed guidance on how to transform workplaces for everyone to thrive and feel safe, or you need guidance on the grievance process, please connect directly.