Facts Relating to Bullying

Why people are hesitant to make a complaint?

Culture difference

In some cultures, it is ashamed to tell someone else that they are bullied. This is more typical in Asian countries. In Asian culture, it is a shame to be treated inappropriately. Most of the Asian people would think that it is their faults to be bullied. They may think that they are not good enough or they have done something wrong leading to bullying. Also, Asian people are not encouraged to express their feelings. In particular, in most of the Asian countries, parents seldom communicate with their children caring about their children’s school life. Therefore, there is not much opportunities or a context to allow people who are bullied to complain.

 Is it possible for people who file complaints to be victimised beyond the original incident?

How could this happen? 

It is quite possible for people who file complaints to be bullied again. This is because people who are complained may be punished and they blame the people who complain for all punish they received.  As a result, the people who are bullied may be treated hardly afterwards. 

What are some ways organisations and individual managers can help people feel more comfortable to make a claim? 

Organisations can establish policy and procedure to identify what kind of activities are defined as bullying and what measures can be done to protect people who are bullied. Also, organisations can introduce a consultation service where people can complain bullying anonymously. Managers should communicate with people who are bullied regularly to ensure that they are not being bullied after any complaints. 

  What can managers do to create a culture where people feel safe to stand up for their rights to equal treatment and being treated with respect and dignity?

Firstly, managers should inform new employees during the induction that it is employee’s right to be treated equally within the organisation. Also, managers should ensure that there are tools available to report bullyings, such as email, report form or hotline. In addition, managers should be a role model for all employees that they should treat everyone equally. Managers also can have against bullying poster available in the workplace to remind employees that it is not a shame to report bullying and bullying is not an acceptable activity in the workplace.