How To Respond To A Workplace Bullying Complaint
How to respond to a workplace bullying complaint is largely decided in the first day, before anyone has decided whether to investigate.
Do. Listen without interrupting. Thank them. Ask what they want to happen and what support they need. Explain the options, informal and formal, and what each involves. Say what you are obliged to act on regardless of their preference. Put the next step and its timeframe in writing.
Do not. Offer a view on whether it is bullying. Ask why they did not raise it sooner. Promise confidentiality you cannot deliver. Suggest they toughen up or see it from the other side. Or move the complainant, which is a detriment and can amount to victimisation.
The last is the most common and the most expensive.
The Fair Work Ombudsman covers the process. This is general information rather than legal advice, and obligations vary by state and territory.
See Sentrient’s bullying course for managers and incident reporting software.
6 Considerations for Supervisors and Managers When Responding to Workplace Bullying
As a manager, you have a responsibility to intervene as soon as possible after suspecting or becoming aware there is unreasonable behaviour happening in your workplace. Here are six things to consider when responding to workplace bullying. Is The Behaviour Bullying or Not? The precise nature of the behaviour should be understood prior to developing […]
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