1. How to combat bullying in on the construction site
Bullying in the construction industry
Workplace bullying is a problem that has been plaguing a number of worksites and schools in
Oz. There are no industries that are immune to workplace bullying, even the construction
industry has workers who complain of this unacceptable behaviour directed towards them. This
incident was highlighted by a victim on the Bullyonline.org website anddescribes an example of
workplace bullying masked under the guise of management. The worker was treated differently
from others and discriminated against.
This is what the post had to say:
After a couple of weeks of starting we were
in the Architect’s office, which was full of their staff listening to the discussion, when I
pulled the PM aside making a few suggestions how to go forward on an issue. This lead
to a tirade of abuse from him, who seemed to be holding me liable for all the mistakes
on the job, even those prior to my arrival. This left me devastated and I then had to sit in
a meeting with the PM until 8pm that night when all I wanted to do was get away from
him.
The following morning I arrived at work at 7am when it started again, an absolute tirade
of abuse and being blamed for all sorts. Things went from bad to worse, although he
didn’t verbally abuse me (he did others but they just got on with it) but it upset me
greatly to think his behaviour was not corrected by his (the PM’s) boss.
I was meant to be in charge of a department but my ideas of what my priorities were
never coincided with that of the PM, who had me continually updating his schedules.
When I complained to my manager in head office I was told not to worry just keep the
PM happy.
Other staff went on courses, including staff from my own department, but I wasn’t
allowed to. I found out that mine had been cancelled by the PM and the few I did get
manage to get on I would receive a call at the training centre telling me to get back to
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Source: http://www.bullyonline.org/cases/case56.htm
This illustrates just one type of bullying that occurs daily in workplaces, bullying of staff by
superiors. It is as equally unacceptable as any other type of bullying. Bullying can be in the
form of verbal, physical, social or psychological abuse. Like in the post above it can be from
your employer, supervisor, another person or group of people at work and occurs in all types of
workplaces and industries.
Many of the workplace woes we see as a result of bullying include reduced productivity,
increased absenteeism, physical stress such as headaches, backaches, insomnia. These side
effects ultimately affect a person’s ability to do their job and so employers should take these
incidents more seriously. It is important that workers feel that their complaints will be taken
seriously, unlike in the case above. Superiors should not be given absolute power to make
employees lives miserable so accusations of victimisation should be taken seriously regardless
of their rank or position.
Some of the most common examples of workplace bullying include making repeated hurtful
remarks, sexual harassment, playing mind games, shoving, pushing, tripping or any uninvited
and harmful physical contact, intimidation, threatening and ganging up on a worker.
Employers are allowed to transfer you, demote, discipline, counsel, retrench or fire you for valid
reasons. However if it is preceded by intimidating or bullying behaviour then it is unacceptable.
Workers who are being bullied often suffer from severe depression, which has led to suicide in
the past. But there is recourse that workers can follow.
Most workplaces should have workplace bullying policy and complaints procedures in place and
if they do, workers should follow it. However if not, workers should contact their immediate
supervisor. If the supervisor is the cause of the bullying, speak to someone above him/her. If
your company is not doing anything and the bullying continues, you can approach your union,
discuss the situation and seek advice from them.
Also ensure that all your complaints are written down and you keep a track record of all the
cases of bullying, when and where they occurred.
You can talk to your supervisor/manager, a harassment contact officer, or a health and safety
representative. It is important that workers are aware of the help available to them so that they
do not feel hopeless and depressed which can lead to tragic consequences such as suicide.
How to combat bullying in on the construction site
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