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Anti-Bullying Day
On April 14
wear something PINK to
build awareness of bullying
Bullying harms nurses and other healthcare
employees
Wednesday April 14 is BC's
day to raise awareness about the harmful impact
of workplace bullying. Statistics Canada (2005)
reports that bullying affects many Canadian nurses:
- almost 50 percent of nurses report emotional
abuse at work
- 46 percent of nurses report they were exposed
to hostility or conflict from co-workers
Statistics from the US indicate:
- 60 percent of new nurses leave the profession
within the first six months because of bullying
from coworkers
- more than 70 percent of bullies are in managerial
positions
- managers who bully others often believe they
cause employees to work harder. But bullying
causes a loss of productivity because it increases
anxiety and costs related to absenteeism and
resignations.
Understanding Workplace Bullying
Bullying is aggressive,
persistent and intentional behaviour where any
reasonable person should know their behavior is
unwelcome by the victim. Bullying can occur between
individuals, or between groups and individuals.
The following behaviors may constitute bullying
(alone or in combination):
- verbal abuse
- offensive behaviours (including nonverbal)
that threaten, humiliate or intimidate
- sabotaging someone's work, or preventing
work from getting done
Bullying is not normal rudeness or properly discharged
managerial activities. Bullying is more than people
simply having workplace conflicts - it creates
toxic workplaces that are often difficult to change.
Where bullying exists people need education and
support. To heal toxic workplaces, norms of behavior
and interpersonal practices need to be redefined
and changed.
Anti-bullying awareness activities for your
worksite could include:
- Circulating your employer's anti-bullying
or respectful workplace policies
- Reviewing workplace conduct regulations at
the Joint Occupational Safety & Health Committees
- Putting posters on units were bullying occurs
- Filing a grievance around unsafe workplace
and respectful workplace policies
- Completing a PRF to highlight how bullying
issues make nursing difficult
- Hold a "pink" bag
lunch to work with concerned nurses to develop
a plan to identify and document bullying
- Wear pink T-shirts on April 14 to raise awareness
that bullying hurts everyone
Because of an overwhelming response from members, BCNU has run out of t-shirts to support Anti-Bullying Day. They can be purchased at London Drugs locations for $5.00.
Links to more information
For more information contact Pam Piddocke,
BCNU OH&S department.
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