When Is Enough Enough?
When verbal abuse becomes the new normal
From the "Workplace Bullying and Harassment" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (4), pp. 19-21
Unwelcome Intrusions
A clinical counsellor’s personal and professional experience addressing workplace bullying and harassment
From the "Workplace Bullying and Harassment" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (4), pp. 16-18
Knock knock.
“Who’s there?”
“It’s Joe.* Can I come in for a night cap?”
Workplace Bullying Law Reform in BC
BullyFreeBC began in 2007 as a way to discuss bullying and law reform in BC. Quebec amended its labour code and other legislation to define and ban bullying and harassment at work, and BullyFreeBC felt that legal protections were important for workers in BC. Through their advocacy and outreach, Workers Compensation Act amendments have started the conversation, though the advocacy group hopes to see more protections for BC workers in the future.
Workplace Bullying
Bullies at work often start with small acts that may be hard to pinpoint as a problem and leave the person who is being bullied wonder if it’s really a problem. As it escalates, it pulls in others, creating a toxic and hostile work environment. A workplace culture that educates everyone, responds appropriately to bullying reports, takes action when it’s needed, and demonstrates that bullying is taken seriously is vital in building safe and respectful workplaces.
WorkSafeBC and Bullying and Harassment
In 2012, a Canada-wide survey found that 45% of workers experienced being bullied at some point, but only one in three of those people reported the incident to their employer. When bullying isn’t reported by employees and addressed by the employer, it often continues and may escalate. Find out WorkSafeBC’s requirements for employers, employees, and itself in reporting bullying, responding to bullying, and preventing bullying.
A Modern-Day Approach to Addressing Violence, Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace
Bullying and harassment are often unrecognized and underreported because they may not seem as serious as physical threats or violence. However, bullying and harassment can significantly harm mental health—it’s now recognized as a mental illness injury by the Workers’ Compensation Board. All workers deserve to be safe at work, and that’s going to require better responses to all kinds of violence at work—including psychological violence—as well as better tools to prevent incidents.
Resources
From the "Youth Facing Health Inequities" issue of Visions Journal, 2020, 15 (3), p. 40
Representative for Children and Youth
You’re Stronger Than Your Problems
South Asian Youth Mental Health Team (SAYMH) youth ambassador Ajeet found that most people don’t know how to help when someone experiences a mental health problem. Through his youth ambassador training, he learned so much more about mental health, substance use, and many other problems that are shrouded in stigma.
