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Definitions of bullying
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My search company sends me report of searches conducted on this site. A number of people seem to be interested in finding out the definition of bullying. At this stage there is no agreed definition.

This makes it difficult for lawmakers to address the issue. In NSW, one promising development has occurred in this regard, where the Law Society of NSW has offered their definition of bullying (listed below). I have also included a number of definitions I have found:

Dictionary definitions of bullying

The Hyperdictionary: http://www.hyperdictionary.com/search.aspx?define=bullying
1. [n] the act of intimidating a weaker person to make them do something
2. [adj] noisily domineering; tending to browbeat others
Synonyms: blustery, domineering, intimidation
See Also: aggression, frightening, terrorisation, terrorization

Chambers Dictionary
noun (bullies) a person who hurts, frightens or torments weaker or smaller people.
verb (bullied, bullying)
1. to act like a bully towards someone; to threaten or persecute them.
2. (usually bully someone into something) to force them to do something they do not want to do.
 
MSN Encarta: http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/features/dictionary/DictionaryResults.aspx?refid=561563440
bul·ly·ing: noun: intimidation of weaker person: the process of intimidating or mistreating someone weaker or in a more vulnerable situation

Other definitions of bullying

Law Society of NSW - Prevention of Workplace Bullying
http://www.lawsociety.com.au/uploads/filelibrary/1094446976781_0.9084470818783515.pdf
"unreasonable and inappropriate workplace behaviour includes bullying, which intimidates, offends, degrades, insults or humiliates an employee, possibly in front of co-workers, clients or customers and which includes physical or psychological behaviour".

MSF Union - from Tim Field's famous site: http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/defns.htm
 "Persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress". 

International Labor Organization (ILO) - defining workplace violence: http://www.ilo.org
"any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. These behaviors would originate from customers, co-workers at any level of the organization. This definition would include all forms or harassment, bullying, intimidation, physical threats/assaults, robbery and other intrusive behaviors".


This site talks about the need to distinguish bullying from normal criticism that occurs on the job from time to time. Some clues that may indicate bullying are:
  • Criticism is persistent and non-constructive
  • Mountains are being made of molehills or false allegations of incompetence are made
  • Unreasonable / impossible work targets are set with inadequate or no negotiation
  • Disparaging comments are being made about you behind your back
  • If you are visibly distressed and no concern is shown by the supervisor / manager.
 
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Updated 8 October 2004