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Workplace Bullying: Preventing Abusive Conduct

Posted by Leslie Ruhland on Sep 5, 2018 12:58:03 PM
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California businesses are required to train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct,” or workplace bullying. The challenge is in defining this behavior and addressing it when it occurs.

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Most professionals are familiar with the highly publicized issue of bullying in schools and online via social media. But not everyone is aware that bullying not only occurs in the workplace among adults, but that there are laws in place to help identify and prevent it.

California businesses have been required to train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct,” or workplace bullying behaviors, since January 1, 2015. This training is to be part of the instruction employers provide for preventing sexual harassment.

Because the law, which is an amendment to the Fair Employment and Housing Act, was somewhat vague and lacking in specific regulations, expanded regulations were drawn up and went into effect on April 1, 2016.

Defining and Identifying Workplace Bullying

According to an article at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) notes that,

The amended regulations by the Fair Employment and Housing Council include instructions for employers to:

  • Define “abusive conduct” as malicious behaviors that can include the repeated use of derogatory remarks, insults, and verbal or physical conduct that a “reasonable person” would consider “threatening, intimidating or humiliating,” as well as the deliberate sabotaging or undermining of a worker’s performance on the job.
  • Explain that a single episode or incident of this behavior shouldn’t be considered abusive conduct, unless it is “especially severe or egregious.”
  • Explain the negative effects of bullying on victims and co-workers, and on productivity and morale.
  • Cover the subject “in a meaningful manner,” though there’s no further direction on how to do that.

While the additional verbiage helps to clarify and provide guidance for employer responsibilities, many experts note that some aspects of the law are still vague. Much of what may be experienced as abusive speech or behavior by one employee may be seen as merely unpleasant by another. 

Part of the problem for lawmakers is that workplace conduct which can be offensive and representative a negative work environment is not always unlawful. The bottom line is that legislation cannot dictate every aspect of an individual's conduct and behavior in the workplace.

California law does indeed bar abusive conduct in the workplace when it targets someone in a protected category such as gender, age, disability or ethnic origin. For example, denying a job or a promotion to someone because he or she is over 60 is illegal. However, insulting an employee's work is not. While this can be seen as poor management or people skills, it is not illegal.

 

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What Actually Constitutes Workplace Bullying

SRHM points out that,

Bullying is generally defined as unwelcome behavior that occurs over a period of time and is meant to harm someone who feels powerless to respond.

Verbal bullying includes teasing and threatening to cause harm, according to stopbullying.gov, a website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Social bullying in the workplace might happen by leaving someone out of a meeting on purpose or publicly reprimanding someone.

Again, these behaviors may or may not constitute unlawful harassment. However, workplace bullying is definitely actionable under federal law when it can be shown to be based on a worker's protected category status, such as race, age or gender. 

Is workplace bullying really a relevant concern? Apparently so. According to a Workplace Bullying Institute's survey, in 2017 it was estimated that 61 percent of U.S. employees were aware of abusive conduct in the workplace, 19 percent had experienced it while another 19 percent had witnessed it.

Essentially, workplace bullying and abusive conduct, while generally unwanted, are not behaviors that are necessarily illegal. If, of course, it can be shown that the conduct is actually a form of unlawful harassment, then action can be taken on that basis. Short of that, organizations must establish policies that clearly define what is and is not acceptable in terms of workplace conduct and behavior.

The Role of HR

Beyond the California state requirement of training managers on how to identify workplace bullying behaviors, there are no legal mandates for HR staff in regards to abusive behavior at work. However, in order to prevent potentially violent or otherwise destructive incidents, proactive steps can and probably should be taken.

Regarding the involvement of HR staff, the SHRM suggests the following,

When HR professionals receive complaints about workplace bullying, they shouldn’t assume the conflict is a tiff that will quickly blow over or peter out. Labor and employment attorneys suggest that HR or a supervisor meet with the perpetrator, review company regulations governing workplace conduct, and remind him or her about the company’s expectations for appropriate behavior.

Where and when feasible, a worker that has engaged in bullying behavior can be separated so the employee is no longer working in the same department or division. In addition, providing some type of performance coaching can be helpful as well, to help workers understand how threatening, intimidating and humiliating language or behavior negatively affects others.

And, finally, if an abusive supervisor or employee is unable or unwilling to refrain from this type of behavior, the company may well be justified in firing that individual.

HR Management Best Practices for California Labor Law

Outsourcing HR functions is an increasingly common strategy for small businesses and the advantages are worth asking about. In addition to reducing your in-house costs, increasing accuracy and security, you can also benefit by freeing your HR resources for improving operational functions, recruiting efforts, and training. 

When it comes to payroll management, you have a number of options for your HR and payroll staff. Software that can be installed in-house, or cloud-based programs offer a good alternative. But if you really want to take full advantage of the benefits available to you, outsourcing to a provider like Accuchex can still be the best decision.

Reliability, full-service options, and reputation are the hallmarks of a quality HR management service provider. If you are currently looking to invest in outsourcing you get your Free Download: California Labor Law guide to help you make an informed decision or call Accuchex Payroll Management Services at 877-422-2824.

free 2018 california labor law guide

Topics: HR compliance, harassment, company culture, management practices, workplace bullying

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