A group of professionals in Hamilton, New Zealand are taking the step to combat workplace bullying in the area. The group is setting up an anti-workplace bullying trust and launching an online website to support people who are being bullied at work.
The organization, “Bully Busters,” are keen to provide low-level advocacy and resources to victims of workplace bullies. The idea came from Community Waikato’s Chief Executive Holly Snape and CultureSafe Director Allan Halse. The two felt that creating an anti-workplace bullying organization that will provide free support is a timely move, given the increasing number of bullying incidents.
This is a very worthwhile cause and an important resource for employees who may feel discouraged and alone, amidst a negative and abusive working environment. Bully Busters is also looking to add a forum to the planned website, which will provide bully victims that chance to talk about situation, as well as get the needed support from others. Snape stated that one of the issues when dealing with workplace bullying is getting over the isolation that people would feel and typically go through given their negative experience.
“We think giving people that opportunity [to speak out] is quite empowering and to know they aren’t alone in this,” she said.
This point is very important as it gives many bully victims the chance to seek help on what best to do when confronted by workplace bullies. It also provides them the opportunity to take that first step in addressing the problem or finding a way to heal from the experience with the support of other people.
The Bully Buster’s online support website is expected to go live in mid-November.
To learn more about the group’s advocacy and their plans for the future, click here and read the full article at New Zealand Herald.
