How to Identify and Prevent Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying in the Workplace

Research published in 2014 revealed that among 31 European countries, Australia ranked as sixth highest for workplace bullying. Data from the Australian Work Barometer (AWB) on 2009-2011 about Psychosocial safety climate and working conditions in Australia edited by Professor Maureen Dollard and Tessa Bailey shows that in 5,919 workers 7% of them reported being bullied within the last six months. In the AWB sample of 4,526 workers, 3% had reported managers, supervisors or co-workers had physically assaulted or threatened them at work.

It was also concluded that women workers reported a higher rate of bullying and harassment for longer periods compared to men. These include sexual abuse, humiliation and unfair treatment to gender. While men reported higher rates of workplace violence [1]

In 2017 a survey carried out by Statista.com in Australia on harassment and/or discrimination in the workplace shows that 56% of workers in an non-inclusive team had witnessed harassment.

There are laws and safety bodies in Australia that assist with discrimination, harassment and bullying in workplaces. We have listed below ways to identify discrimination, harassment and bullying in the workplace. Also, how it affects individuals' psychological and physical health and how we can