Workplace bullying

Employers

If you are being bullied at work and need support, you can read this fact sheet, see the Get Help section of the website for details on further support. If you know or see someone being bullied, see our Supportive Bystander Fact Sheet to find out how to help them.

Woman sitting on floor with head on her knees, despondent

What is workplace bullying?

Workplace bullying is verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse by your employer (or manager), another person or group of people at work.

Workplace bullying can happen in any type of workplace, from offices to shops, cafes, restaurants, workshops, community groups and government organisations.

Workplace bullying can happen to volunteers, work experience students, interns, apprentices, casual and permanent employees.

Some types of workplace bullying are criminal offences. If you have experienced violence, assault and stalking you can report it directly to the police.

What does bullying in the workplace look like?

repeated hurtful remarks or attacks, or making fun of your work or you as a person (including your family, sex, sexuality, gender identity, race or culture, education or economic background)
sexual harassment, particularly stuff like unwelcome touching and sexually explicit comments and requests that make you uncomfortable
excluding you or stopping you from working with people or taking part in activities that relates to your work
playing mind games, ganging up on you, or other types of psychological harassment
intimidation (making you feel less important and undervalued)
giving you pointless tasks that have nothing to do with your job
giving you impossible jobs that can't be done in the given time or with the resources provided
deliberately changing your work hours or schedule to make it difficult for you
deliberately holding back information you need for getting your work done properly
pushing, shoving, tripping, grabbing you in the workplace
attacking or threatening with equipment, knives, guns, clubs or any other type of object that can be turned into a weapon
initiation or hazing - where you are made to do humiliating or inappropriate things in order to be accepted as part of the team.

Young female print shop worker listening with arms crossed to male supervisor yelling

How bullying can affect your work

If you are being bullied at work you might:

be less active or successful
be less confident in your work
feel scared, stressed, anxious or depressed
have your life outside of work affected, e.g. study, relationships
want to stay away from work
feel like you can’t trust your employer or the people who you work with
lack confidence and happiness about yourself and your work
have physical signs of stress like headaches, backaches, sleep problems

What is not workplace bullying

Some practices in the workplace may not seem fair but are not bullying.

Your employer is allowed to transfer, demote, discipline, counsel, retrench or sack you (as long as they are acting reasonably).

What you need to know if you are being bullied at work

When you are being bullied it's important that you know there are things you can do and people who can help.

You have the right to be in a safe workplace free from violence, harassment and bullying.

Bullying and abuse information for young Australians

If you are under 16 years old, bullying and violence may also be child abuse. See the Youth Law Australia website for further information.

Bullying and discrimination

Bullying may also be discrimination if it is because of your age, sex, pregnancy, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or certain other reasons. Sexual harassment and racial hatred are also against the law.

Responsibility of employers

Your employer has a legal responsibility under Occupational Health and Safety and anti-discrimination law to provide a safe workplace. Employers have a duty of care for your health and wellbeing whilst at work. An employer that allows bullying to occur in the workplace is not meeting this responsibility.

Responsibility of bystanders

We all have a moral responsibility to help create a positive, safe workplace. If someone in your workplace is experiencing harassment or bullying, you can tell them about the steps they can take to solve it.

What you can do if you are being bullied at work

Make sure you're informed. Check to see if your workplace has a bullying policy and complaints procedure.
Keep a diary. Documenting everything that happens, including what you've done to try stopping it. This can help if you make a complaint.
Get support from someone you trust or contact support services. Even if you don’t know anyone you can talk to, there are support services which are immediately available to help and support you in the Get Help section. Getting support can also include contacting your union.
Approach the bully. If you feel safe and confident, you can approach the person who is bullying you and tell them that their behaviour is unwanted and not acceptable. If you are unsure how to approach them, you might be able to get advice from an appointed contact person, or from a colleague or manager.
Tell someone at your work. Your workplace will usually have a process for making a complaint and resolving disputes, which might include a warning, requiring the bully to have counselling, a mediation process, or even firing the bully if the situation continues. The person to talk to might be your supervisor/manager, a harassment contact officer, or a health and safety representative (if your work has one).
Get information and advice. If the bullying is serious, if the situation has not changed after complaining to your manager, or if there is not anyone you can safely talk to at work you can get outside information and advice.
Make a formal complaint to the state and territory workplace health and safety authority or to the Australian Human Rights Commission, using the links below.

Getting Help

If you have made a complaint to your manager or others in your workplace and there have not been adequate steps taken to stop the bullying there are a number of options that you can take to get help.

When to contact the police

If bullying is violent or threatening it may be a criminal offence and you should contact the police immediately call 000

If the situation in not urgent you can call the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 for all states and territories except for Victoria, where you will need to visit your local police station.

Making a complaint about workplace bullying to the Australian Human Rights Commission

If you are been bullied, harassed or discriminated against because of your race, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion or because you have a disability or are pregnant you can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission. Call 1300 656 419. See further information about making a complaint to the Commission for young people.

The Commonwealth Fair Work Ombudsman

The Commonwealth Fair Work Ombudsman can provide information and advice about Australia’s workplace rights and rules and the protection you have against harassment and discrimination. Call 13 13 94. You can access Fair Work's resources on their website.

Report bullying to a State or Territory work health and safety authority

Your boss has a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare at work of all their employees. You can report bullying incidences to the following state and territory work health and safety authorities.

Australian Capital Territory WorkSafe ACT can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 02 6207 3000
New South Wales SafeWork NSW can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 13 10 50
Northern Territory NT WorkSafe can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 1800 019 115
Queensland WorkSafe Queensland 1300 362 128 can provide advice if you are experiencing workplace bullying. For information for young workers, see WorkSafe Queensland's resource for young workers.
South Australia SafeWork SA can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 1300 365 255
Tasmania WorkSafe Tas can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 1300 366 322 (within Tasmania) or (03) 6166 4600 (outside Tasmania)
Victoria WorkSafe Victoria can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 1800 136 089
Western Australia WorkSafe WA can provide advice and help if you are experiencing workplace bullying. Call 1300 307 877

Other Helpful Resources

Contact Australian Unions or the union representing your industry who can give you advice on your options and your rights. You can get advice on workplace bullying from the Workers helpline 1300 486 466
Youth Law Australia for legal information especially for young people
To learn more about your rights at work see the Australian Council of Trade Unions website for students.

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