Is an email between two workers about another worker considered bullying?

lifeandtimes

Hey everyone

I'd like to know if anyone can advise if an email/s between two workers discussing another workers conduct and work is considered bullying?

In this instance the worker does not know and only the manager of the two workers is aware after finding an email

Can the manger bring then two into a disaplinary on bullying

Little CuChulainn

It would be a clear indication that the employee is working in a bad environment and likely to be subject to bullying. Exclusion and rumouring are also a form of bullying.

lifeandtimes

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

It would be a clear indication that the employee is working in a bad environment and likely to be subject to bullying. Exclusion and rumouring are also a form of bullying.

Thanks for your input

Though it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad environment or that they will be subjected to bullying. That's a bit of a leap

I was asking in the case of emails about a worker,content of emails refer to their work and lack of professionalism and conduct,the worker does not know and will not know but a senior member discovered the emails and wants to bring a bullying case

If the worker does not know is it still considered bullying? I understand exclusion and rumouring but this is not happening or relevant in this instance

blindsider

Tricky situation this.....

I'm NOT giving legal advice etc, and here's my tuppenceworth:

From a HR perspective, bullying is repeated behaviour towards a person.

"Bullying in the workplace has been described in various ways. The Health and Safety Authority’s definition is that it is:

"repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual‘s right to dignity at work."

An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but as a once off incident is not considered to be bullying.

- See more at: http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Health/Bullying_at_Work/#sthash.iNXZBb5l.dpuf

So bullying is repeated behaviour and IMO harassment is a once-off incident.

However, IMO this is not bullying. It's a 'private' email conversation.

Depending on your HR/IT policies, it MAY be a breach of email policy, and, if your policy allows for this, I would consider an 'informal chat' with the 2 individuals. The chat would outline the breach, remind them of professional standards, clearly outline what is expected of them, and the consequences of a further breach.

I could see how the author of the email might strongly reject a suggestion of any wrongdoing.

If possible, I would also conduct a 'dignity in the workplace' seminar/session etc and ensure all attendees are certified.

There's more info and a link on prevention etc here:

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Health/Bullying_at_Work/

under the heading "What is Bullying?"


This type of atmosphere, when left unchecked, can spread rapidly. IMO, any concerns re bullying need to be addressed immediately.

Do you have a HR Manager? If so, get them involved ASAP.

Hrududu

lifeandtimes wrote: »

Thanks for your input

Though it doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad environment or that they will be subjected to bullying. That's a bit of a leap

I was asking in the case of emails about a worker,content of emails refer to their work and lack of professionalism and conduct,the worker does not know and will not know but a senior member discovered the emails and wants to bring a bullying case

If the worker does not know is it still considered bullying? I understand exclusion and rumouring but this is not happening or relevant in this instance

It's a bit confusing. So two co-workers are discussing another over email. I'm not sure if that could constitute bullying if the 3rd co-worker is unaware.

I'd be interested to know how the manager saw the emails. Does the manager have any vested interests? Are they friends with the 3rd co-worker?

If someone is a poor performer and their conduct is questionable its a little odd that their co-workers wouldn't be expected to discuss this amongst themselves.

lifeandtimes

blindsider wrote: »

Tricky situation this.....

I'm NOT giving legal advice etc, and here's my tuppenceworth:

From a HR perspective, bullying is repeated behaviour towards a person.

"Bullying in the workplace has been described in various ways. The Health and Safety Authority’s definition is that it is:

"repeated inappropriate behaviour, direct or indirect, whether verbal, physical or otherwise, conducted by one or more persons against another or others, at the place of work and/or in the course of employment, which could reasonably be regarded as undermining the individual‘s right to dignity at work."

An isolated incident of the behaviour described in this definition may be an affront to dignity at work but as a once off incident is not considered to be bullying.

- See more at: http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Health/Bullying_at_Work/#sthash.iNXZBb5l.dpuf

So bullying is repeated behaviour and IMO harassment is a once-off incident.

However, IMO this is not bullying. It's a 'private' email conversation.

Depending on your HR/IT policies, it MAY be a breach of email policy, and, if your policy allows for this, I would consider an 'informal chat' with the 2 individuals. The chat would outline the breach, remind them of professional standards, clearly outline what is expected of them, and the consequences of a further breach.

I could see how the author of the email might strongly reject a suggestion of any wrongdoing.

If possible, I would also conduct a 'dignity in the workplace' seminar/session etc and ensure all attendees are certified.

There's more info and a link on prevention etc here:

http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Workplace_Health/Bullying_at_Work/

under the heading "What is Bullying?"


This type of atmosphere, when left unchecked, can spread rapidly. IMO, any concerns re bullying need to be addressed immediately.

Do you have a HR Manager? If so, get them involved ASAP.

Wow thank you so much for your information

No there is no issue at the moment,I'm just quite curious as I know it's a sensitive subject

Pat Mustard

lifeandtimes wrote: »

I'd like to know if anyone can advise if an email/s between two workers discussing another workers conduct and work is considered bullying?

Anyone who needs to ask this question is onto a loser from the word go.

If an employee gets dragged through a disciplinary process and then possibly fired, it's cold comfort to discover that there may be cause of action for unfair dismissal afterwards.

So whether or not the employee is ultimately proved to be legally correct and awarded a sum of money by the Employment Appeals Tribunal, sending these type of emails at work is very careless.

People should realise that anything that they send by email can be read by the relevant administrator.

qt3.14

Generally speaking, if you have issues with the work of a colleague the route to go is through your immediate supervisor, not chatting about it with other colleeagues.

One eyed Jack

Sounds more like a work problem than a legal one OP tbh, and depending upon the code of conduct policies of the employer, it could well be considered bullying behaviour. The fact the subject of the discussion is unaware of the fact is irrelevant.

Use of company email for such behaviour could well constitute grounds for a disciplinary action, though how severe would obviously depend on the specific content and context of the situation. It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of employees being disciplined for email communication that was seen by someone who wasn't intended to see it.

Peregrinus

Depends on what's in the e-mail, but spreading rumours about someone, encouraging others to think less of that person, etc, etc could certainly constitute bullying, even if the victim was unaware of the e-mails. And, whether or not it's "bullying", it's certainly behaviour that could be the basis of disciplinary action against the person sending the e-mails.

Wheelnut

The OP may also have exposed his employer to legal risk by using his e-mail system in this way. This would be reason for the manager to take disciplinary action.

plodder

Hrududu wrote: »

If someone is a poor performer and their conduct is questionable its a little odd that their co-workers wouldn't be expected to discuss this amongst themselves.

Not an expert etc, but I'd agree with this. If the three are on the same team, and one person isn't pulling their weight then it reflects on other members of the team, and the company. So, I wouldn't see a problem with discussing it per-se. It depends on what the email says of course. More significant would be any background details, like if this was only one incident of a pattern of behaviour towards the third worker, then maybe you're getting back into a bullying situation then, and the email might be seen as evidence of a general pattern.

Having said that, I know of a reputable organisation that wanted to start bullying proceedings against someone over a single incident where it wasn't warranted. So, it's not unusual for people to misunderstand what is and isn't bullying.

AndonHandon

Misuse of company email could be another reason to bring the workers into a disciplinary hearing.