What is and isn't Bullying & Harassment?

Bullying is:

• Persistent, repeated negative behavior directed at another person
• A risk to health and safety
• Deliberate – designed to hurt

Harassment is:

• Unsolicited behavior
• Upsetting
• Intimidating
• Targeting the other person on the basis of characteristic (race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation)

Peter Quarry describes bullying and harassment as unsolicited, persistent behaviors that intentionally upset, threaten and hurt other people. Unpleasantness is more about a difference of opinion or temporary bad moods.

Peter Quarry talks about the difference between bullying and harassment as well as how they contrast with unpleasantness. The former are unsolicited, persistent negative behaviors that intentionally target and threaten others. They cause people to lose sleep, and experience hypervigilance and physical symptoms (eg headaches). Unpleasantness is temporary. It can be caused by a difference of opinion, being frank about an issue or because of a bad mood.

This program is one of the Insights and Strategies Series, featuring psychologist Eve Ash interviewing a range of experts and business leaders who share their experiences and practical strategies for achieving best practice.

Click here to get the Transcript. 

Business Outcomes

Bullying and harassment cannot be tolerated. This course helps people understand what constitutes bullying and harassment and that it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure laws and company policies are upheld, and to learn strategies to ensure a safe workplace.