Bullying and Cyberbullying: Even at Work?

Every year on the last Wednesday of February, Canadians come together for Pink Shirt Day to take a stand against bullying. And let’s just say it’s not limited to schools! In workplaces, bullying or cyberbullying can happen and take the form of psychological harassment.  

Bullying can take the form of words, actions, images or behaviours that are hurtful, humiliating and that can socially exclude a person or can lower their self esteem. It can be intentional or unintentional.

Cyberbullying happens when a person bullies another by using technology like social media or collaboration platforms like Microsoft Teams.

Is bullying at work considered harassment?

At work, bullying is very serious. It can be considered psychological harassment.

It could come from your colleague, boss, client or even a supplier.

You can ask yourself the following questions to know if you’re experiencing psychological harassment at work:

• Are you the target of abusive, humiliating or offensive behaviour that is hostile or unwanted?
• Does this behaviour happen repeatedly?
• Does this behaviour affect your dignity or integrity?
• Does this behaviour affect your work environment negatively?

If you answered yes to all these questions, you might be experiencing harassment.

Harassment cases

Many psychological harassment allegations in the workplace were analyzed by the Quebec courts. But it’s important to note that a difficult or unpleasant situation at work doesn’t necessarily mean there’s harassment.

Courts have concluded that certain situations, namely your boss’ right to manage, work conflicts, stress related to completing tasks and challenging work conditions are not, in themselves, psychological harassment. Even though they can be unpleasant, these situations aren’t necessarily abusive, humiliating or offensive.

However, courts have recognized that behaviours like yelling, threatening, or criticizing employees in front of colleagues can be considered psychological harassment. This is also the case if you’re repeatedly given negative work evaluations from management and contradictory or incorrect work instructions.

Repeated bullying, such as name-calling, belittling or insulting someone’s work or personality, can also create a negative work environment, These behaviours can affect a person’s dignity and psychological integrity.

In some cases, psychological harassment can become extremely serious. Actions like aggression, assault or death threats at work can be considered both psychological harassment and criminal behaviour.

Options you have to face these situations

If you’re experiencing psychological harassment at work, you can inform your boss of the situation you’re experiencing. They have an obligation to prevent harassment and make sure it ceases by applying the workplace prevention policy. If you’re part of a union, you can also contact them for support.

Some organisms like the Help and Information Center on Harassment in the Workplace or Juripop can help you understand your rights or make a complaint to the right organisation. For example, you might be able to make a complaint to the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité au travail (CNESST or labour standards, pay equity and workplace health and safety board) or the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse (CDPDJ or Quebec’s human rights commission).

Some forms of bullying or cyberbullying can be serious enough to be considered crimes. If you ever face this, you can report it to the police.

You can also sue the person who’s harassing you in front of a civil court to claim damages such as lost salary, anxiety or stress.

If the court concludes that the person’s words or behaviour were wrong and caused you harm, you could receive a financial compensation.