Bullying & harassment

MiP gives individual advice, support and representation to members who have been the victims of bullying and harassment at work, as well as those who have been accused. We also publish articles and advice on how to tackle bullying and harassment and promote a healthy working culture.

Over the coming months, we will be publishing a series of advice notes on understanding and responding to common problems at work – including bullying and harassment. To receive an alert when we publish new information, sign up for our email bulletins using the box on the right.

What is bullying and harassment?

The terms "bullying" and "harassment" are often used interchangeably and, in broad terms, refer to behaviour intended to undermine, humiliate, insult or injure people in the workplace. It may be blatant or subtle, but it is always unjustified and unwelcome to those on the receiving end. Examples of bullying and harassment include:

• spreading malicious rumours
• deliberately insulting someone
• circulating criticism of colleagues to people who don't need to know
• ridiculing or demeaning someone
• exclusion, victimisation or unfair treatment
• unjustified micromanagement or other abuses of power
• unwelcome touching or sexual advances
• unfounded threats about someone's job security or career prospects
• deliberately undermining someone's competence, e.g by overloading or constant criticism
• intentionally blocking promotion or training opportunities

In all but extreme cases, the person concerned must be aware that their behaviour is unwelcome for it to count as bullying or harassment. You can read the ACAS guidance to find out more about what constitutes bullying and harassment.

What to do

In all cases, the first thing you must do is to ask them to stop. If they persist, that is usually the point at which it becomes bullying. Do this politely but assertively; leave them in no doubt that their behaviour is unwelcome. Take a look at your organisation's Dignity at Work or Bullying and Harassment Policy. It will make clear that the organisation has zero tolerance for bullying and harassment at work. Politely insist that your colleagues adhere to the policy.

If the behaviour doesn't stop, here's what to do next:

• Contact your MiP rep or the national officer for your area for help
• Gather evidence: keep a diary, save copies of all relevant emails and paper documents, log relevant phone calls
• Refuse unreasonable requests politely but firmly
• Discuss the problem with your line manager and/or HR (your union rep will accompany you if necessary)
• Stay calm: do not walk off the job or threaten to resign – continue to work as normally as possible
• Consider if mediation might help resolve the problem
• Consider taking out a grievance – your MiP rep or national officer will advise you on this
• Be clear about what you want to happen: your objective is for the behaviour to stop, not to punish someone or get them sacked

If you've been accused of bullying

Not all allegations are fair, and sometimes performance management can be unfairly seen as bullying or harassment. If you've been accused, the first thing to do is to reflect honestly on your behaviour. Think about what might be driving the allegations, and read the ACAS guidance on what constitutes bullying and harassment. Consider if the problem could be resolved through discussion or mediation. If you feel you might have over-stepped the mark, it's best to apologise immediately.

If you still feel you have been unfairly accused, immediately contact your MiP rep or the national officer for your area for help.

Note: if MiP are also representing the colleague making the accusation, your case will be dealt with by a different rep or national officer.

Exploring the issues

MiP regularly publishes on bullying and harassment, and on how to build a better workplace culture. We want to raise awareness among healthcare managers, other staff and the public about the impact of bullying within the NHS and the culture of false allegations against managers – both problems ruin careers, undermine team working and ultimately damage the quality of patient care.

We take a very active role in work by the national  Social Partnership Forum to tackle bullying, especially through the Workforce Issues Group, which is chaired by MiP chief executive Jon Restell. We also work with employers at local, regional and national level on developing and improving bullying and harassment policies and building a healthy workplace culture in which everyone can reach their full potential.

If you'd like to get involved in our work on bullying and harassment, please contact MiP head office.