Bullying in the workplace - how to recognize and prevent it

Bullying in the Workplace: How to Recognize and Prevent It

Most people associate bullying with school, but it also occurs frequently between adults, especially in the workplace. We often spend more time with colleagues than with family, yet workplace relationships can be strained due to differing personalities and conflicting professional goals. This tension can sometimes lead to bullying.

Understanding Bullying and Harassment

Harassment involves offensive, intimidating, or humiliating behavior, often linked to protected characteristics such as race, gender, religion, or disability. While harassment may be a single incident, bullying consists of repeated actions that create a power imbalance, regardless of job hierarchy, and often aim to isolate the targeted individual.

As with harassment, “just because a person does not mean to bully someone, or doesn’t realize their behaviour is bullying, does not negate the fact it is bullying.”

Recognizing Bullying Behaviors

Bullying can manifest in many forms: behavioral, interpersonal, work-related, or emotional. It can be subtle and hard to detect during everyday work routines. Often, the most noticeable signs are changes in the behavior of the person being bullied.

Subtle persistent negative behaviors
Attempts to isolate or exclude an employee
Repeated criticism or undermining of work
Intimidating or humiliating actions

Preventive Steps

To prevent bullying, awareness of these signs is key. Creating a culture of respect and open communication helps reduce tension and limits bullying opportunities.

Author's Summary: Workplace bullying often goes unnoticed but creates harmful imbalances of power, making awareness and preventive actions crucial for a healthy professional environment.

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Canadian Federation of Independent Business — 2025-11-04