Help with bullying in the workplace
Everyone has the right to a safe workplace.
Learn more about bullying in the workplace and how you can try to resolve the issue at work.
On this page:
- Know what bullying is
- Get help in the workplace first
- Escalate the issue if the bullying doesn't stop
- Other common workplace problems
- Tools and resources
- Related information
Know what bullying is
Find out what the law says is bullying at work and what is not.
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) states that bullying at work occurs when:
- a person or a group of people behaves unreasonably towards a worker or a group of workers at work, and
- this happens more than once, and
- this creates a risk to health and safety.
There are some situations where someone’s behaviour might not be bullying.
Learn more at Bullying in the workplace.
Get help in the workplace first
Many workplaces have policies and processes to prevent and respond to bullying.
Where it is safe, use these to try and resolve the problem.
Tip: Keep written records
Where possible keep a record of the bullying you are experiencing.
This should include information about what, when and where the bullying happened. You can also include details about who was present or witnessed the bullying.
Speak to someone about the bullying
Talk privately with someone you trust at your workplace. This could be:
- your direct manager (or a different manager if the issue is with your direct manager)
- a health and safety representative, or
- the human resources department.
Escalate the issue if the bullying doesn't stop
If you find that the bullying hasn’t stopped, you can:
- contact your union if you're a union member
- check if you're eligible for assistance from the Commission
- seek help from your state or territory workplace health and safety body
- contact other national bodies, such as the Australian Human Rights Commission.
If the bullying involves serious threats or stalking, contact your local police.
Tip: Check if your workplace has an employee assistance program
You may need help to deal with stress from bullying. Check if your workplace has an employee assistance program (EAP) that you can access to talk to somebody confidentially about how you’re feeling, or you can talk to your doctor.
You can learn more at Health and wellbeing support.
Other common workplace problems
- I've been fired and I’m not sure what I’m entitled to
- I'm a migrant worker being treated unfairly
- I could be in a sham contracting arrangement
Tools and resources
- An employee's guide to fixing workplace problems An employee's guide to fixing workplace problems
- Fair Work Commission eligibility quiz
