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tillie  
#1 Posted : 19 November 2012 10:57:35(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
tillie

Good morning all

I am concerned there is some racism/ bullying being done in the workforce. Is anyone aware of a questionare that I can give to the guys, I am trying to make the guys aware I know it is going on and I intend to stop it.

Hope that makes sense

Thanks

Tillie
PH2  
#2 Posted : 19 November 2012 11:04:51(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
PH2

Hi Tillie,
this is a serious HR issue. I suggest that you discuss it with them.
A Kurdziel  
#3 Posted : 19 November 2012 11:12:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

Definitely a HR issue. There is information on the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Development) website but you need to register to get hold of it.
tillie  
#4 Posted : 19 November 2012 12:15:36(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
tillie

Thanks guys,
KieranD  
#5 Posted : 19 November 2012 13:46:01(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
KieranD

Tillie

Firstly, may I compliment you on showing an ethical perspective on matters of concern to you in the workforce with which you identify (presumably as a safety professional, but possibly otherwise).

Secondly, as a member of both the CIPD and of the IOSH, may I also encourage you to be circumspect about language you use in identifying an issue.

Stating, as you have, that 'there is some racism/bullying being done in the workfoce' at the same time as enquiring about 'questionnaire' as the appropriate tool to intervene to 'stop it', is a cause for some concern.

Allegations of 'racism' and of 'bullying' are non-trivial and are usually most effectively addressed after problem behaviour is carefully examined with the rights of all concerned evaluated on the basis of evidence. Should you wish other professionals such as 'HR' to demonstrate more active evidence of their effectiveness in addressing matters you have identified, may I respectfully encourage you to pinpoint specific sections of The Equality Act 2010 and of any other laws or regulations relevant to your concerns, before you ask HR to intervenue.

Any professional is obliged both by law and by codes of professional conduct to ground interventions on evidence and fairness. Equally, if you wish to enable individuals or groups to change behaviour from alleged 'racism/bullying' to respect, courtesy and co-operation, you are far, far more likely to do so by showing them the standards to which you wish them to comply. Not always easy to do, perhaps, but always more justifiable as well as more effective than resorting to asking for 'a questionaire', as the first thing to do.
Clairel  
#6 Posted : 19 November 2012 14:22:14(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

Tillie wrote:


I am concerned there is some racism/ bullying being done in the workforce. Is anyone aware of a questionare that I can give to the guys, I am trying to make the guys aware I know it is going on and I intend to stop it.



Strong words. On many counts. Be careful what you are accusing, who you are accusing and how you go about it. Sending out a questionnnaire to warn them sounds a little like a 'bull in a china shop' approach to me.

damelcfc  
#7 Posted : 19 November 2012 14:45:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
damelcfc

This could easily go off track IMO - Racism is not a H, S or E issue so let HR sort it. Bullying would be though IF it involved physical assault / RIDDOR etc etc etc but neither is strictly safety world territory.
Before anyone starts that Racism could send someone off with stress/work related blah blah blah - like a zillion other things it could be laid at the safety Managers door but it just don't sit right.

As a 'general' manager in the workplace you could go down the disciplinary route if you have evidence but as far as a Safety Manager leave well be - You'll make a rod for your own back and be running tea and sympathy sessions before you know it.
NLivesey  
#8 Posted : 20 November 2012 08:33:27(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NLivesey

quote=Tillie]Good morning all

I am concerned there is some racism/ bullying being done in the workforce. Is anyone aware of a questionnaire that I can give to the guys, I am trying to make the guys aware I know it is going on and I intend to stop it.

Hope that makes sense

Thanks

Tillie

First off Tillie, well done for wanting to tackle this. Whilst many will say "that's a HR issue" and then move on the effect of workplace bullying does have consequences that fall firmly into the H&S camp, as clearly shown by the amount of info on the HSE website.

Now, whilst a questionnaire may have some effect it'll be limited. Those who are involved in bullying won't take much notice of a thinly veiled 'I know what you're doing'. The stance needs to be loud and clear that bullying, regardless of the perceived reason, will not be tolerated and action will be taken where it is witnessed. Have a conversation with HR and put together some material for general briefing as well as some material that can be displayed around the workplace. In terms of material there's plenty on the HSE website relating to workplace stress, much of which is focused on bullying.

I think the other element that needs some focus is the workplace culture that has allowed for bullying to propagate. You can tackle the problem after it has happened but prevention is better than a cure. It is important that some face to face conversations are conducted with everyone to gain an understanding why some feel it's ok to have an active role in bullying, why those not active may sit by and let it happen and why those on the receiving end do not feel they can raise the issue. The cultural factors will be key to how successful any action in the workplace is.

My final word would be that any action needs to be endorsed by your senior manager, so you'll also need to have a conversation there.

Good luck with it, not walking by is a good start to dealing with the problem.
Clairel  
#9 Posted : 20 November 2012 09:10:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

Being concerend that racism or bullying may be taking place is not the same as having evidence to that effect.

So I am a little concerned about the assumption of guilt and therefore hard direction to take.

Accusing peoeple of bullying or racism when in fact that isn't the case could be disastrous.

I go back to what I said about a bull in a china shop. Softly softly guys and gals please.
KieranD  
#10 Posted : 20 November 2012 11:58:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
KieranD

A relatively safe approach to the ethically and diplomatically challenging issue lies in raising questions about standards of communication at work.

To the extent that what may or may not be validly perceived as 'racist' or 'bullying' falls below acceptably respectful standards of communication leaves scope for improvement, that a competent team leader at any level can understand.

Beyond that, there isn't enough reliable information to know what HR, senior or other managers may or not not be doing. As, very regrettably, in some settings, sometimes people in these roles of responsibility not only actively endorse legal violations, but personally display it. So, Clairel's cautionary note has its place.
NLivesey  
#11 Posted : 20 November 2012 12:25:07(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NLivesey

So, if there's a suspicion is it acceptable to wait and see if it manifests itself in a more obvious way? I'm afraid that doesn't get my vote.

Note I said 'General Briefing'. There's nothing to stop a pre-emptive action and give a clear message that both warns potential culprits that it's not acceptable, whilst also supporting and encouraging those at the sharp end to speak out.

True, this may be purely a misunderstanding on the part of the observer but a clear bullying and harassment policy should be in place regardless. Promoting its existence and reminding everyone of the values associated shouldn't come as a result of something, but should be something that has a constant awareness in the workplace. As KieranD has mentioned, communication IS key. By briefing and raising awareness (communicating) of the expected values it's more likely that people will start to adopt those values and behaviours.

It's not about the allegation, it's about making sure people feel empowered to come forward and feel more comfortable about say 'I feel that I'm suffering from bullying/harassment'.
BJC  
#12 Posted : 20 November 2012 13:46:18(UTC)
Rank: Guest
Guest

Racism is generally an HR or Police matter unless one has peripatetic workers whom are in danger travelling or working in certain no go areas.

Bullying is a grey area and in my experience tends to be part of poor management. Stress is taken seriously by the Courts and quite often is connected to Bullying.
Clairel  
#13 Posted : 20 November 2012 16:58:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

Nlivesey wrote:
So, if there's a suspicion is it acceptable to wait and see if it manifests itself in a more obvious way? I'm afraid that doesn't get my vote.



That's not what I said. There is somewhere in between wading in with a pair of size 9's and doing nothing.

Mr.Flibble  
#14 Posted : 20 November 2012 18:02:52(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Mr.Flibble

For all those saying its not H&S issue, some good advice on the HSE Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/st...nformationonbullying.htm
John J  
#15 Posted : 20 November 2012 22:18:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
John J

Mr.Flibble wrote:
For all those saying its not H&S issue, some good advice on the HSE Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/st...nformationonbullying.htm


It might be on the HSE website but all the suggested solutions are within HRs domain
damelcfc  
#16 Posted : 21 November 2012 07:55:45(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
damelcfc

John J wrote:
Mr.Flibble wrote:
For all those saying its not H&S issue, some good advice on the HSE Website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/st...nformationonbullying.htm


It might be on the HSE website but all the suggested solutions are within HRs domain


Bang on. It's 'general guidance' for Managers/Supervisors of any discipline.

Bullying, harrasment, racism are every persons responsibility in an organisations to tackle but are no more directly associated with H,S & E Peeps than they are white van driver in Bolton.

The question could have been asked on any forum in the world - to answer the initial question directly - No, I am not aware of such a questionairre and as a HSE Manager why would I? Please see your HR Manager for advice on your local Policy in the first instance.
KieranD  
#17 Posted : 21 November 2012 10:41:35(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
KieranD

As a substantial volume research by Cary Cooper, Tom Cox, Nohreen Tehrani and many British psychologists has indicated, the style of communications amongst members of an organisation are useful indicators of characteristics of alleged racism, bullying and other forms of value-reducing behaviour at work.

I have used a six-category model of safety/health communications to make sense of the styles of communications displayedin response to the initial enquiry, made without any supporting evidence, about responding to alleged racism and bullying in this thread.

Anyone who would like to receive a summary of this model of safety/health communications to use in their own organsiations is welcome to PM me to ask for a copy.
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