Spread Kindness and Make the Pink Shirt Promise to End Bullying

February 17, 2017
February 22 is Pink Shirt Day, an opportunity for BCNU members to join other Canadians in raising awareness and taking action to end bullying and harassment.

Pink Shirt Day was started by two Nova Scotia students who organized a protest to support a Grade 9 boy who was bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Learn more at Pink Shirt Day.

WorkSafeBC created new policies in 2013 to address bullying and harassment. The policies explain the duties of employers, workers and supervisors to prevent workplace bullying and harassment.

Bullying and harassment is prevalent in health care.

  • 40 percent of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis1
  • Workplace bullying is associated with nurses leaving their job, or the nursing profession2,3
  • Bullying can reduce team communication, job satisfaction, motivation and morale4

Exposure to workplace bullying - whether in person or online - can impact the physical and mental health of workers, permeating all facets of personal and professional life. Not only does the worker suffer, so do their families and co-workers. This can lead to decreased job satisfaction, motivation, morale, and can negatively affect patient outcomes.

What action can you take if you are the target of bullying?

  • Firmly tell the person to stop, if you feel comfortable to do so.
  • Report the problem to your supervisor and contact your steward.
  • Make a complaint under your employer's policy.
  • File a grievance. Once you've spoken to the person or reported to your supervisor, keep a record of facts including dates and times of incidents, parties involved, witnesses, what was said or done, and how you felt.
  • Do not engage in retaliation of any kind.

What can you do at work to promote and support a bully-free workplace?

  • Be aware of your employer's policy and procedures and follow them.
  • Model respectful, professional behaviour.
  • If you witness bullying, report it to your supervisor and contact a BCNU steward.

Spread kindness and learn more about what you can do to promote a respectful workplace for you and others.

References:

140% of Canadians bullied at work, expert says - CBC News
2 Johnson S., Rea R., "Workplace Bullying: Concerns for Nurse Leaders". Journal of Nursing Administration, 2009;39(2):84-90
3 Griffen M., Teaching Cognitive Rehearsal as a Shield for Lateral Violence: An Intervention for Newly Licensed Nurses. Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 2004;35(6):257-63
4 Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, "Bullying in the Workplace"

Resources:

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