Workplace bullying in the early childhood sector

Workplace bullying is unfortunately something that many of us will be exposed to in our working careers at some point in time, regardless of sector or industry. According to Safe Work Australia.

• One in three women who claim for a mental health disorder acquired in the workplace stated it involved harassment or bullying
• One in five men who claim for a mental health disorder acquired in the workplace stated it involved harassment or bullying
• 37 per cent of workers report being sworn or yelled at in the workplace.

• The behaviour is unreasonable
• It is repeated
• It is directed towards a worker or workers
• It creates a risk to health and safety

• belittling of staff in front of parents and other staff; 
• receiving warnings without justification; 
• lack of communication from management; 
• harassment, both directly and through the use of social media. 

• job insecurity
• confusion or conflict about roles
• a stressful work environment 
• high workloads 
• acceptance of inappropriate behaviour 
• workers lacking any control over how they do their work. 

• a policy, code of conduct and/or values statement making clear what conduct is and is not acceptable, and the consequences and procedure that will be followed if the policy is breached. It should also require staff to report any bullying conduct which they witness towards others. 
• suitable training, to ensure that staff are aware of what constitutes inappropriate workplace behaviour, and they are aware of what constitutes workplace bullying and how to respond
• managers with the necessary skills to manage inappropriate workplace behaviour.