Defining Anti-Bullying

Welcome back to this micro-course on anti-bullying. In this lesson, we will be discussing what exactly constitutes as bullying, its different forms and how it can be defined in the workplace.

Bullying can be defined as the repeated use of power or position by one or more individuals to harm, intimidate, or control another person. It can take many forms such as verbal, physical, and cyberbullying.

Verbal bullying includes name-calling, teasing, and threats. Physical bullying includes hitting, pushing, and stealing. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place through electronic means, such as social media, text messages, and emails.

It's important to note that bullying doesn't only happen to the young, it can happen to people of all ages, including adults in the workplace. When it happens in the workplace, it can create a toxic work environment that makes it hard for employees to feel safe and respected, negatively impact productivity, and in some cases can even lead to legal consequences.

To give you an idea of the impact, let's take a look at an example of a real-world case of workplace bullying. A few years ago, a large corporation was sued for failure to take appropriate action in dealing with a workplace bully, this case resulted in a settlement of $2.5 Million to the victim. This case, among others, shows the seriousness of the issue and the importance of addressing it.

As we move forward in this course, I encourage you to think about how you would define bullying in your own workplace, and any situations you may have encountered or witnessed in your own experience. Next, you will hear about Key Concepts of Anti-Bullying.