This lesson distinguishes bullying from harassment and other harmful behaviors, focusing on patterns, power dynamics, and impact on the workplace.
This lesson distinguishes bullying from harassment and other harmful behaviors, focusing on patterns, power dynamics, and impact on the workplace.
What you learn:
- Define harassment, bullying, and discrimination with clear criteria
- Differentiate between protected and non-protected characteristics
- Identify examples across verbal, written, and behavior-based actions
- Understand the impact on individuals, teams, and business outcomes
- Recognize when escalation is required and where to seek guidance
Description:
This module clarifies the key terms used in workplace conduct policies and supports learners in recognizing when behavior crosses lines. You will explore examples of harassment, bullying, and discrimination, understand why each is harmful, and learn the basic legal and ethical implications for organizations and individuals. The course uses realistic scenarios to help you identify subtle and explicit conduct that can create a hostile or unsafe work environment.
By the end, you will have a solid framework to distinguish between problematic actions and acceptable workplace interactions, laying the foundation for respectful behaviors and compliant practices across teams and locations.
What is Workplace Bullying
Bullying refers to repeated, intentional aggressive behavior that harms a person or undermines their work. It can occur regardless of protected characteristics and is often driven by power dynamics.
Bullying typically shows a pattern of acts such as intimidation, humiliation, manipulation, social exclusion, or undermining a person in front of others. It can occur between peers, by a supervisor, or by a contractor or vendor.
Intent and impact matter. While the behavior may not target a protected class, repeated harm creates a hostile environment and affects performance and well being.
Warning signs include frequent negative feedback that feels personal, social isolation, and deliberate attempts to undermine credibility or status.