Q: How prevalent is bullying in Australia?
A: Workplace bullying is a serious problem in Australia.
A 2009 Drake International survey of more than 800 Australian employees found that 25 per cent had experienced bullying themselves, while a full 50% had witnessed bullying in the workplace.

Q: Who is most likely to exhibit bullying behaviour?
A: The people who should be leading the way in workplace culture.
Disturbingly, the Drake survey found that managers and supervisors were responsible for 50% of bullying, while other employees accounted for 25%.

Q: What are the economic impacts of bullying?
A: They're most likely huge.

In addition to the mental and physical health impacts described below, the economic implications of such findings are staggering. While we couldn't find hard and fast figures, modelling performed several years ago suggested that if only 3.5% of Aussie workers are bullied, the cost to the economy could be between $6 billion and $13 billion annually.

Q: What are the potential consequences of bullying?
A: Increased illness and injury
The 2007 US study by Zogby International found that around 45% of individuals targeted by bullies at work suffer stress-related health problems which may include:

• Cardiovascular problems;
• An impaired immune system;
• Debilitating anxiety; and
• Post-traumatic stress disorder.

A workplace in which bullying is rife can expect to see:

• Increased psychological injuries; and
• Increased physical injuries, because:
  • Bullied workers may be more likely to make mistakes and have accidents;
  • Bullied workers may be more likely to tense up their muscles, making them more susceptible to overuse injuries and back pain; and, in extreme cases
  • Bullies may inflict injury, via “practical jokes” or outright violence.

A: Disruptions and delays relating to RTW
If someone is experiencing bullying at work they may sustain a complex, psychological injury, or they may find it much harder – and less tempting – to return to work following illness or injury. You might see:

• Delayed return to work;
• Work disruptions due to claims investigations; and
• Costly comp claims or legal action.

A: Poorer business outcomes
In addition to the health problems described above, there are also business costs to consider, including:

• Drops in productivity;
• High staff turn-over;
• Increased absenteeism;
• Reduced performance;
• Low morale; and
• Bad PR for the organisation.

The above factors may all drive claims, and make claims harder to resolve, as an acrimonious relationship is more likely when workplace culture is poor.

Q: What increases the risk of bullying?
A: A poor workplace culture
Bullying is more likely when:

• Workers’ views are ignored or undervalued;
• Inappropriate teasing and practical jokes are tolerated;
• There’s poor communication; and
• People are treated unequally;

A: Organisational change
Bullying is more likely in periods of organisational uncertainty, such as when there is:

• Restructuring;
• High turnover;
• Downsizing; or
• Technological change

A: Certain organisational / task related factors are present
These include:  

• High demand for efficiency and speed;
• Unrealistic work schedules;
• Poor job security;
• Lack of experience and skill among workers;
• Uncertainty about job requirements / poorly defined roles;
• Lack of appropriate policies and procedures;
• Poor people skills amongst management; and
• Lack of supportive leadership.