Workplace Bullying

Being yelled at in front of the team, left out of meetings, given impossible tasks or mocked about your accent, body or background: when it happens again and again, it wears you down. If this is happening to you, it is not your fault, and you do not have to handle it alone.

What is happening

Workplace bullying is repeated behaviour that humiliates, intimidates, isolates or undermines someone. It can come from a manager, a colleague, a group, or even someone junior. It can be loud, like shouting and threats, or quiet, like being ignored, having work sabotaged or being left off the roster for good shifts.

South Africa does not have one "anti-bullying" law, but you are not without protection. The Code of Good Practice on the Prevention and Elimination of Harassment in the Workplace, issued under the Employment Equity Act, treats bullying as a form of harassment and expects employers to have a policy and act on complaints. If the bullying is linked to your race, gender, disability, religion, sexual orientation, culture or another listed ground, it may be unfair discrimination. The Protection from Harassment Act also allows anyone to apply at a magistrate's court for a protection order against a person who harasses them.

Firm management is not bullying. A manager may set targets, give honest feedback and run a fair disciplinary process. The difference is respect: bullying targets the person, not the work.

Signs to notice

• You are criticised, mocked or shouted at, often in front of others.
• You are excluded from information, meetings or team activities.
• Your work is taken away, sabotaged, or piled on beyond what others get.
• Threats are made about your job, shifts or safety.
• Rumours are spread about you, in person or in WhatsApp groups.
• You feel anxious, ashamed or sick before work.

30-second self-check

Answer yes or no for the last few months.

• Has the same person or group treated you badly more than a few times?
• Have you been humiliated in front of others?
• Have you been threatened with losing your job or shifts for no fair reason?
• Are you deliberately left out or ignored?
• Is the behaviour linked to who you are (race, gender, age, disability, religion, sexuality or background)?
• Has it affected your sleep, health or confidence?

0-1 yes: This may be a one-off conflict. It may still be worth addressing early.
2-3 yes: This sounds like a pattern. Start recording incidents and get support.
4 or more yes: This sounds like bullying. Take formal steps and look after your wellbeing.

What you can do next

• Today: Write down each incident: date, time, place, what was said or done, who saw it. Save messages and emails somewhere private. If you feel physically unsafe, leave the area and tell security or a supervisor.
• This week: Read your workplace harassment or grievance policy. Talk to HR, a trusted manager, your shop steward or a union official. Use the Difficult Conversation Planner if you choose to raise it directly.
• This month: If it continues, lodge a formal written grievance and keep a copy. Get advice from a labour attorney, union or Legal Aid SA on further steps.
• Witnesses: quietly checking in with the person being targeted makes a real difference. So does being willing to confirm what you saw.
• Managers: once you know, you must act. Ignoring a complaint can make the employer liable too.

Your tool

Difficult Conversation Planner - helps you prepare what to say, stick to facts and plan a safe next step, whether you raise it with the person, HR or your union.

When to get professional help

Get support if bullying is affecting your sleep, mood, health or family life, or you dread going to work. If you ever feel you want to harm yourself, or someone threatens you with violence, act straight away. If you are in danger right now, call SAPS on 10111, or 112 from a mobile.
Who can help: labour attorney, counsellor, psychologist, Legal Aid SA

Getting help in South Africa

The CCMA (ccma.org.za) handles unfair discrimination and many other workplace disputes free of charge; time limits apply, so do not wait. Legal Aid SA (legal-aid.co.za) may assist if you qualify. A magistrate's court clerk can help you apply for a protection order under the Protection from Harassment Act. Your trade union can represent you. Your EAP counsellor, or the Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline (0800 212 146), can help you cope while the process runs.