Workplace bullying is: repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at an employee or group of employees that creates a risk to health and safety.
 

All doctors are entitled to a safe workplace. Workplace bullying is an occupational health and safety risk, and it is the responsibility of both employers and employees to prevent or, if it does occur, address it.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) imposes duties on Employers and doctors with respect to a safe work environment. In particular, Employers must implement measures to eliminate or reduce workplace bullying, so far as reasonably practicable.

Workplace bullying… is best dealt with by taking steps to prevent it from occurring and responding quickly if it does occur. Fundamental to this is the need to create a positive workplace culture where everyone treats each other with respect.
VAGO Report on Bullying and Harassment in the Health Sector (2016)

Workplace bullying is not new, but our understanding of and response to workplace bullying has developed over time.

A behaviour that is long-standing or considered normal may be workplace bullying. A doctor who has experienced a certain type of behaviour earlier on in their career does not justify them directing similar behaviour towards another employee or group of employees if it is workplace bullying. An individual may not be aware that their behaviour constitutes bullying, in which case this must be promptly discussed and addressed.

An established culture of bullying in the workplace or a failure by previous employees to report the behaviour in the past is not a defence.

Doctors of all levels of experience are not exempt from the legal requirements regarding workplace bullying.

Where a doctor is experiencing workplace bullying, it is likely that the person subjecting to workplace bullying is also a doctor.

Bullying can have serious negative outcomes for those who experience and those who witness it. They include physical, psychological and financial harm.