Key Concepts
Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying is a form of psychological violence. People often think of bullying as something physical, but the psychological impact of bullying can be immense.
Sexual harassment
Sexual harassment is common in New Zealand and Australian workplaces.It is unlawful and breaches the Human Rights Act and the Employment Relations Act.
Mobbing
Mobbing is a term that was initially used to describe workplace bullying. Mobbing usually involves a group of people bullying another person usually with the intention of causing suffering.
Horizontal violence
This term originated in the nursing profession. It describes hostile and aggressive acts by nurses toward other nurses. There has been significant research into bullying in nursing.
Zero Tolerance versus Zero Acceptance
Zero Tolerance is a term often used with bullying and harassment. Organisations with a Zero Tolerance policy rely on people to make complaints about bullying or harassment.
Power and control dynamics and tactics
Bullying and harassment involve behaviour or tactics to gain power and control over people and provide protection. The person who bullies or harasses seeks to gain a sense of power.
Gaslighting and mind-games
Gaslighting is a tactic to make people doubt themselves and their experience, and to adapt to the person who is gaslighting them. Gaslighting is used to cast blame, sow doubt and fear.
Psychopathy and psychopathic bullying
Psychopaths are renowned for their ability to bully, especially with their lack of empathy, deceitfulness and manipulativeness. This creates significant problems for organisations.
Dignity at Work
‘Dignity at Work’ is a term associated with the prevention of workplace bullying, harassment and discrimination. It promotes respect, tolerance, inclusion and fairness in the workplace.
Workplace Mediation
Mediation is a conflict resolution process that is employed to resolve bullying problems. Traditional forms of mediation involve getting people together to talk about what has happened.