Public and Commercial Services Union

Bullies can be from any background, be of any race or gender, and of any grade, so it is not helpful to draw up a stereotype or profile of the bully.

However, being able to identify some examples of bullying behaviour may help you to recognise when bullying is happening.

Bullying and harassment can occur in a number of different ways. Some are obvious and easy to identify. Others are more subtle and difficult to explain.

Examples of bullying

The following examples of bullying behaviours are drawn from the Andrea Adams Trust guidance:

• Repeatedly shouting or swearing in public or private
• Public humiliation
• Persistent criticism
• Constantly undervaluing effort
• Personal insults and name calling
• Persecution through fear or threats
• Dispensing unfair punishment out of the blue
• Increasing responsibility whilst decreasing authority
• Being overruled, ignored, marginalised or excluded
• Setting individuals up to fail
• Setting uncontracted tasks
• Setting unrealistic deadlines for an increased workload
• Removing areas of responsibility/imposing menial tasks
• Deliberately sabotaging or impeding work performance
• Constantly changing guidelines
• Withholding work-related information

Bullying effects

Bullying will often adversely affect the health of the person
being bullied. Common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Raised blood pressure
• Sleeplessness
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Ulcers
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Tearfulness
• Irritability
• Becoming withdrawn
• Becoming aggressive
• Increased consumption of tobacco, alcohol or drugs
• Contemplation of suicide

These are very similar to the effects of long-term exposure to stress.