Harassment.

Employers' responsibility with harassment and bullying.

Managers and supervisory staff are individually responsible for eliminating bullying, intimidating or harassing behaviours in their departments.

Companies should ensure that managers are accountable not only for their own behaviours but also for ensuring a place of work where working relationships are harmonious and mutually respectful.

A policy should be made giving a clear signal of the expected behaviours in order to ensure compliance.

Complaints should not be ignored, or dismissed as fantasies. Both parties should be offered individual counselling to establish the facts in total confidentiality. The bully or harasser can then also be helped to recognise the offending behaviour and alter his or her conduct; the victim can be helped to recover.