Prioritize the protection of workers over profits and corporate image

"I was fired because I was pregnant." "I was passed over for promotions." "My ideas are dismissed." "My workload has increased and no one wants to listen to me." "When I spoke out, I was met with hostility and threats." "I was removed from my project." "I was fired for refusing to accept a bribe." "For speaking out against harassment." "For simply expressing my thoughts openly." "My mother died at work after being forced to report to work when sick." "My cousin fell into a mental breakdown after enduring years of workplace bullying." These are the countless stories millions of workers tell when narrating their direct and indirect horrific impacts and experiences of workplace bullying, whether it's an individual, a group of individuals, supervisors, or the organization as a whole. Due to weak legal protections against workplace bullying, many victims find it difficult to seek redress, and many incidents are underreported, perpetuating the cycle of workplace bullying.

Do you know how to safely report a workplace bullying situation?

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), approximately 1 in 3 workers worldwide experience workplace bullying. This translates to billions of people globally. A significant percentage of bullying cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation, shame, or lack of awareness of available resources. In many African countries, legal protections against bullying are weak, and on top of that, there are high unemployment rates. Hence, a?majority of employees are reluctant to speak up or leave their jobs, even if they are facing or witnessing bullying at the workplace. ?Access to mental health support and legal aid for victims of workplace bullying is also often limited in Africa, making it harder to cope with the impact and seek justice.???The cost of workplace?bullying is immense, including lost income, shattered confidence, being thrown into poverty, depression, deteriorating mental health,?and a pervasive sense of powerlessness. ?We need to change this. ?

Would you be able to spot a bully at the workplace?

These facts play a contributing role to the increase in cases of workplace bullying, discrimination, and toxicity, affecting individuals' mental health and productivity. It is crucial that the war for improved mental health levels and positive work culture begins to win with the support of stronger laws that protect workers, not just profits and the corporate image.?Employers should be held accountable for creating a workplace environment where everyone feels safe to speak up, free from fear of retaliation in the following ways:

1. There should be explicitly defined anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies outlining prohibited behaviors and detailing the complaint process.
2. Leaders should be held accountable to model respectful behavior and actively promote a culture of psychological safety and support.?
3. Accountability measures should be culturally sensitive and adapted to the specific context of the workplace.?
4. Disciplinary actions, including warnings, suspension, or termination, should be applied consistently and appropriately to those found guilty of bullying or harassment.?
5. More vital legislation should include stricter penalties for employers who fail to enforce anti-bullying and anti-harassment policies and retaliate against employees who speak up.
6. If an employer is found to have violated its policies, the information, including the consequences imposed, should be publicly disclosed.?
7. Employees should be encouraged to form support networks and resource groups to provide a safe space for employees to share experiences and learn about their rights.
8. Victims of workplace abuse should have access to financial support, including counseling, time off to recover, and legal aid to ensure they are not left destitute.?
9. ?Offer support services to victims of bullying, including counseling, legal aid, or time off to recover.??
10. Labor authorities need to conduct regular inspections to ensure compliance with anti-bullying laws and company policies.

Government offices, companies, and NGOs need to collaborate in implementing these measures and hence ensure that employers are proactively creating a workplace environment where employees feel safe to speak up, free from fear of retaliation. This fosters trust, improves morale, and leads to a more productive and successful organization.

It’s time to stop treating workers as disposable resources. ?All workers deserve workplaces where our voices are heard, rights respected, and well-being prioritized.??