As a community we strive to be the best we can be, and this includes behaving in a way that is collegial with your colleagues. Our dedicated Embedding Collegiality site explains how we can help achieve this and features a cross section of staff explaining what it means to them and how this is integral to our success. During Anti-Bullying Week, we’ll be sharing articles that discuss not only how to improve your working relationships, but also how to identify when a behaviour moves beyond challenging, and into the realm of bullying and harassment.
We know that collegial working encourages confidence, and confidence is key to helping people achieve individually and as part of a team, but we also all know that there are times we don’t feel as sure of ourselves – perhaps because of the circumstances, or perhaps because we find another person’s behaviour challenging.
These resources can help you deal with challenging behaviour:
- Dealing with difficult situations
- A pocketbook for assertiveness
- Dealing with conflict and anger
- Analysing Conflict Styles
Often this challenging behaviour is a single incident, but in some cases, it can become a repetitive theme and it’s important to identify and understand how to challenge this and seek support.
- What to say when you encounter an ethical breach
- ACAS advice and definition of bullying and harassment
- Bullying UK’s page on The Signs of Workplace Bullying
- University of Southampton policy for whistleblowing
- You may want to try speaking to the individual, if you do, try the guidance on How to speak with the offender to resolve the matter informally
- Visit our HR Bullying page
If you or a colleague are experiencing or witnessing this behaviour, or are not sure if you are, but want advice, the following contacts all provide confidential advice and support on what to do next:
- Speak to our trained harassment contacts for confidential advice.
- Seek advice from your Trade Union representative
- Employee Assistance Programme – confidential counselling available for staff 24 hours a day
