Conflict, differences of opinion and personality clashes can happen at work. But when this goes beyond a one-off disagreement, intensifies, or becomes offensive and harmful to someone – that’s bullying.

Harassment based on prejudices is discrimination and it’s unacceptable – we should never tolerate it as part of workplace culture.

Bullying and harassment can be verbal, physical, written, or electronic and can include things like:

• Insults and constant criticism that make someone feel humiliated or intimidated

• Cruel and malicious rumours, gossip or innuendo

• Deliberately and repeatedly excluding or isolating someone

• Behaviour or language that frightens or degrades someone such as swearing, threats and yelling

A manager is bullying a worker if they deliberately:

• Give work that’s unreasonably above or below the worker’s ability

• Give meaningless work that’s unrelated to a worker’s job

• Give inconvenient rosters or change hours on a whim

• Deny the information or resources a worker needs to do their job

• Scrutinise work excessively and unreasonably

If you see or experience bullying at your workplace, you should document the alleged bullying behaviour with information like dates, times and any witnesses to the incidents.

Call HACSUassist at 1300 880 032 or email us on assist@hacsu.org.au if you’ve seen or are experiencing bullying – we’re here to support you and all our calls are confidential.