Workplace bullying affects more Australians than many realise, with national research indicating that half of all employees will experience it at some point. It can be difficult to recognise, takes many forms across industries, and causes serious harm to mental health, relationships, and capacity to work. Its effects often extend well beyond the workplace.
Understanding the signs, why it happens, and what you can do is the first step toward protecting yourself and seeking the support you deserve.
What Is Workplace Bullying and Harassment?
Under the Fair Work Act, workplace bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a worker that creates a health and safety risk. Workplace harassment is broader, covering unwelcome conduct based on protected attributes such as sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or race, national extraction, or ethnic origin, and does not need to be repeated to be unlawful.
Sexual harassment is a distinct form involving unwelcome sexual advances, unwanted physical contact, or requests for sexual favours by anyone in a work-related context.
Importantly, reasonable management action such as performance reviews or disciplinary processes does not constitute bullying.
Why Does Workplace Bullying Happen?
Workplace bullying develops where risk factors go unaddressed and protective systems are absent. Contributing factors include poor leadership, high-pressure environments, inadequate harassment policies, and insufficient training. Early signs include:
- Increased workplace tension or conflict
- Withdrawal or disengagement of particular workers
- Patterns of exclusion from meetings or discussions
- Repeated complaints that go unaddressed
Young workers, those new to a workplace, and students gaining work experience are at increased risk, particularly in cultures that tolerate initiation ceremonies, malicious rumours, or exclusionary behaviour.
Where bullying targets a person based on sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or race, national extraction, or ethnic origin, it may also constitute unlawful discrimination under anti-discrimination law.
Common Examples of Workplace Bullying and Harassment
Bullying and harassment are not always immediately obvious. Common examples include:
- Verbal abuse, threats, or persistent public humiliation
- Spreading malicious rumours or making offensive comments
- Deliberate exclusion from work-related events or discussions
- Assigning demeaning tasks or unreasonably criticising work performance
- Practical jokes designed to embarrass or target a particular worker
Harassment covers unwelcome conduct based on a protected attribute such as sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or race, national extraction, or ethnic origin. Sexual harassment does not need to be repeated to be unlawful.
Workers who face adverse action for raising a safety concern or making a complaint may also have a claim under the general protections provisions of the Fair Work Act, separate from any bullying claim.
Impact of Workplace Bullying on Health and Wellbeing
Workplace bullying causes lasting harm to mental health and overall wellbeing. Affected workers commonly report anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, sleep difficulties, and loss of confidence, alongside physical symptoms such as fatigue and headaches.
The harm extends to organisations through damaged team cohesion, reduced productivity, and increased absenteeism. Employers who fail to act may face workers compensation claims and complaints to their state or territory work health and safety regulator.
For workers with a psychological injury, a workers compensation claim may provide access to financial support and rehabilitation. Understanding how trauma-informed care supports recovery can also be an important first step.
What to Do When You Experience Workplace Bullying
Start by documenting the behaviour, recording dates, times, what was said or done, and who was present. Then report it through your workplace’s internal processes via a human resources officer, health and safety representative, or relevant safety body.
If internal processes have not resolved the situation, external options include:
- The Fair Work Commission, which can issue orders to stop bullying for eligible workers
- Your state or territory work health and safety regulator, if not covered by the national system
- The Fair Work Ombudsman, for general workplace relations advice
- The Australian Human Rights Commission, for harassment complaints based on protected attributes
Workers unsure of their rights can seek free legal advice from a community legal centre or union representative. Speaking with a general practitioner, psychologist, or psychiatrist is equally important for managing the psychological impact.
How MindSense Psychiatry Can Help
If workplace bullying has affected your mental health, MindSense Psychiatry can help. We specialise in medico-legal psychiatric assessments for psychological injury, supporting workers compensation claims and legal proceedings across Australia.
Please note that MindSense does not accept self-represented matters. All bookings must be made through an authorised representative.