Q: I am trying to
find some information on laws or policies relating
to workplace bullying in Trinidad & Tobago.
A: Everyone
should be treated with dignity and respect at work. Bullying and harassment of
any kind are in no-one's interest and should not be tolerated in the workplace.
Bullying
may be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting
behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine,
humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying itself isn’t against the
law, but harassment is unlawful under the Offences Against the Person(Amendment) (Harassment) Act, (2005).
Examples
of bullying or harassing behaviour in the workplace could include:
- spreading
malicious rumours, or insulting someone by word or behaviour (particularly
on the grounds of age, race, sex, disability, sexual orientation and
religion or belief)
- copying
memos that are critical about someone to others who do not need to know
- ridiculing
or demeaning someone – picking on them or setting them up to fail
- exclusion
or victimisation
- unfair
treatment
- overbearing
supervision or other misuse of power or position
- unwelcome
sexual advances – touching, standing too close, the display of offensive
materials, asking for sexual favours, making decisions on the basis of
sexual advances being accepted or rejected
- making
threats or comments about job security without foundation
- deliberately
undermining a competent worker by overloading and constant criticism
- preventing
individuals progressing by intentionally blocking promotion or training
opportunities.
What
employees should do if they’re bullied or harassed
Employees should see if they can sort out the problem informally first. If they can’t, they should talk to their:
Employees should see if they can sort out the problem informally first. If they can’t, they should talk to their:
- manager
- human resources
(HR) department
- trade union
representative
- Legal action
(last resort)
