Counselling for Workplace Conflict/Bullying in Sydney
Workplace bullying can have a devastating impact on individuals and other members of staff. While it can feel isolating, you don’t need to go through it alone. New Vision Psychology’s counselling services provide you with the necessary support to help you deal with the emotional repercussions of workplace bullying and move on with your life.
What Is Workplace Bullying?
Workplace bullying can occur in any industry and can affect anyone no matter their job level. It takes many forms, whether it be overtly aggressive behaviour or subtle forms of intimidation.
The Australian Government defines workplace bullying as “repeated unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety”. Examples of workplace bullying include persistent aggression, exclusion from work activities, or ongoing intimidation.
Unfortunately, workplace bullying is more common than you may think. Safe Work Australia’s People Matter Survey (2023) found that more than 1 in 10 people reported being bullied in the workplace.
Workplace bullying is harmful to a person’s mental and physical health and impacts their ability to perform effectively. Workplace conflict and bullying is also bad for a business as a whole, as it leads to low staff morale, increased turnover, and reduced productivity.
How to Recognise Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying can be both direct and indirect. Here are some common signs to recognise whether you are being targeted or unfairly treated at work.
Examples of workplace bullying include:
- Repeated unkind or belittling comments
- Verbal or physical aggression
- Deliberate exclusion from meetings, email chains, or social events
- Spreading gossip or talking about you behind your back
- Intimidating looks
- Ignoring your contributions
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Impact of Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying can be highly distressing for a person and affect their ability to do their job. They may lose their confidence, become overwhelmed with stress, and experience mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
The impact is not only psychological. Victims may also suffer physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, sleep issues, and increased susceptibility to illness due to stress-related immune changes. In some cases, victims may develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
It’s important to note that workplace bullying does not only impact the victim – it has a knock-on effect on the rest of the team and the business as a whole. Workplace bullying has a detrimental impact on other team members witnessing the conflict, causing more stress and reduced job satisfaction, which in turn affects the organisation’s morale, turnover, and productivity.
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How Can You Get Help?
If you are dealing with constant conflict at work and suspect that it may constitute workplace bullying, there are steps that you can take to officially deal with the situation, and then manage the emotional toll.
Start by speaking to your workplace’s HR department or a trusted manager. Provide a record of incidents, including details of the behaviour you have experienced. Your employer has a responsibility to take action, usually through mediation, giving the perpetrator a formal warning or, in more serious cases, terminating their employment.
If your employer does not help, you can submit an anti-bullying form to the Fair Work Commission who has the authority to investigate the situation and help you work towards a resolution.
Alongside formal action, it is important to care for your emotional health. If conflict or relationships at work are impacting your mental health, counselling is an effective way of addressing the issue.It is worth speaking to a professional who can help you find solutions to manage the stress, and move forward with your work and personal life.
How We Work at New Vision Psychology
New Vision Psychology in Sydney can help to identify workplace bullying and provide you with the support and practical tools to manage it effectively.
Our experienced psychologists will work to help you with your individual needs in a safe and confidential environment. We offer services for a wide range of issues including trauma, anxiety, depression, and stress.
New Vision Psychology also provides WorkCover services to help affected individuals recover from emotional or mental distress resulting from work-related incidents.
You don’t have to face workplace bullying alone. If you would like to book an appointment or learn more, call us on 1300 001 778 or contact us using the form on this page.
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New Vision Psychology can help with 5 convenient locations across Sydney.
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