Workplace bullying

Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.

It can occur in any workplace and can be harmful to you if you experience or witness it.

Examples of potential unreasonable behaviour include:

• offensive language or comments
• unjustified criticism
• deliberately excluding someone from workplace activities
• withholding information that is needed for work.

Everyone at work can help ensure that bullying does not occur. It is important to respond quickly because the longer bullying continues, the more difficult it is to address and the harder it becomes to repair working relationships.

How to prevent and respond to workplace bullying

For employers or business (or other PCBUs) who have a duty to ensure the health and safety of their workers, Safe Work Australia's Guide for preventing and responding to workplace bullying outlines what workplace bullying is and how to prevent, respond to and investigate it.

For workers, Dealing with workplace bullying – a worker's guide helps you know if bullying is occurring and how it may be resolved. It's a useful guide if you believe you are experiencing or witnessing workplace bullying or if you have had a bullying report made against you.

Our mental health page provides more information on preventing and responding to the factors which may increase the risk of workplace bullying, and managing mental health in the workplace.

What to do if attempts to resolve bullying have failed

If you want assistance, it's important to know who to contact for your situation.