Bullying: Defined by Safe Work Australia as:

“Repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.”

Repeated behaviour refers to the “persistent nature of the behaviour and can involve a range of behaviours over time”. This includes repeated behaviour directed towards one individual and single incidents of behaviour involving separate individuals and can involve a range of behaviours over time.

Unreasonable behaviour means “behaviour that a reasonable person, having considered the circumstances, would see as unreasonable, including behaviour that is victimising, humiliating, intimidating or threatening.

Workplace bullying will generally meet the following criteria:

1. It is repeated and systematic (a single incident will generally not meet the threshold for bullying but should be addressed to prevent escalation or repetition).
2. It is unwelcome and unsolicited.
3. A reasonable person would consider the behaviour to be offensive, intimidating, humiliating or threatening.

Some examples are teasing or being made the brunt of pranks, verbal abuse, yelling/screaming, offensive language, deliberately withholding work-related information, inappropriate comments about a person's appearance or lifestyle, pushing or standing over, or sexual/other unwanted advances.

Workplace conflict such as differences of opinion and disagreements are not generally considered to be workplace bullying (unless they are repeated, unreasonable behaviours that create a risk to health and safety).

Legitimate, reasonable and soundly based managerial decisions or actions are not workplace bullying. Some examples are:

• providing constructive feedback on performance or raising performance issues
• providing direction on the work to be undertaken and how it is to be undertaken
• reasonable allocation of work or transfer of work duties
• disciplinary action for proven misconduct
• disagreement on an approach or decision stated in a reasonable tone.

• ABAL is a free, state-wide telephone advice line to all NSW Health staff.
• Advisors can answer your questions about the process for managing bullying complaints, or what you can do to make the bullying behaviour stop.

ABAL provides independent, confidential advice and our advisors will not judge you or your situation.

• We do not manage workplace complaints or represent staff involved in a complaint.
• We cannot offer legal advice.
• We are not a counselling service.

ABAL is not a replacement for your manager or local HR department, where possible you should always try to speak to them first.

• You are concerned that you, or someone in your workplace is being bullied at work, and you’re not sure what to do.
• You want more information on how bullying is handled in NSW Health.
• You are a manager and need advice on handling bullying in your area.
• You can call if you have been bullied or have witnessed bullying behaviour in your workplace.

The person who answers your call will ask you questions to better understand why you are calling, and to ensure you are given the right information. You can choose to answer, or not answer any question, such as:

• Can you tell me what has been happening?
• Have you spoken to your Manager about this?

No matter where you work in NSW Health, you can call the same number 1300 416 088. Advisors are available to take your call between 7am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, leave a message and we will call you back.

• HSEH intranet and NSW Health intranet sites
• Speak to the HR Department in your Local Health District
• Speak to your manager or supervisor
• Check our Frequently Asked Questions section
• Download the ABAL brochure (PDF)