Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviour

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The Programme

A new Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work written by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been in place since December 2020 (S.I. 674 of 2020). 

This Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviourworkshop is designed to ensure organisations understand what is and what is not regarded as bullying behaviour (as detailed in the Code of Practice) and what steps should be taken to address issues that may be happening and ensure that the problem does not re-occur elsewhere. To give of their best, it is essential that all employees feel their workplace is a ‘safe place to work’.

Bullying behaviour takes many forms and the effects are wide reaching.  In addition to the possibility of costly legal actions, it causes stress and anxiety to those involved, increases absenteeism, lowers levels of performance and can significantly undermine organisational, team and employee morale.  This workshop will enable those with responsibility for employee welfare to address this potentially damaging workplace issue and empower team members to ‘speak out’.

Who is this for?

This Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviour workshop would be of benefit to Line Managers and Team Leaders, with devolved HR responsibility, for resolving issues of disrespectful behaviour on their teams.  It is also suited to HR Professionals who are working to support the Dignity at Work function and revise the existing Dignity at Work Policy.

Learning Outcomes

Those who complete the Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviour workshop will have:

• A deeper understanding of the nature and causes of bullying behaviours;
• An understanding of the effects of bullying and harassment at both individual, team and organisational levels;
• Knowledge of how allegations of bullying are dealt with in accordance with Dignity at Work policy and the new provisions that will be applied with the application of the code of practice;
• An awareness of the importance of early intervention to ensure team members understand what is and what is not acceptable behaviour and situations do not escalate.  
• An appreciation of the importance of embodying the core values of the organisation into day to day working practices to ensure they are at the heart of everybody’s actions.     

Course Content

The Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviour workshop will focus on:

• Definitions of bullying and harassment (including sexual harassment) according to the legislation;  
• A clear understanding of what is and what is not regarded as bullying behaviour (see S.I.674)  
• An understanding of the nature and causes of disrespectful behaviour in the workplace and the impact they have on all parties;
• An understanding of the effects of bullying behaviour at individual, team and company level and the importance of having a work culture where issues are addressed promptly;
• Knowledge of how complaints of bullying and/or harassment are managed by an organisation from initial disclosure through to final decision and the changes in S.I. 674;
• Working to resolve issues using proven collaborative resolution methods e.g. mediation  
• Appreciation of the importance of Dignity at Work (DAW) policies as ‘living documents’. 
• Appreciation of the importance of the manager and/or team leader ensuring a culture of psychological safety with mutually respectful communication at the heart of all work practice.
   

Other Information

This Understanding the Cause and Effect of Workplace Bullying Behaviour workshop can also be delivered in-house for clients in an online workshop format or face-to-face with participants where appropriate safety measures and social distancing arrangements have been put in place.  The maximum number recommended for this workshop is 16 to ensure time for group work and discussion.

For further details of how this workshop can be delivered for your organisation please contact Maébh O'Connor – moconnor@ipa.ie

Course Leader

This course is delivered by an experienced member of our HRM Specialist and Associate Team: Maébh O'Connor, Frances Stephenson and Eoin Smyth.