5. The evidence

Introduction What do our values mean to you? Bullying from every perspective More good days in our team Fewer bad days in our team The impact of bullying and inappropriate behaviour - the evidence Your team charter Little things that make a big difference

5A. The impact of incivility on safety and quality

There is overwhelming evidence that rudeness, inappropriate behaviour and bullying impact significantly on the individual and on the organisation.

These behaviours have real and serious impacts not only on the physical and psychological wellbeing of the person experiencing the behaviour, but also on the performance of the organisation.

Bullying behaviours are repeated over time but one-off acts of inappropriate behaviour are still harmful. Studies show ‘incivility’ at work makes errors and mistakes more likely.

Discussion: Where have you seen incivility harm your team or patients’ safety?

5B. The impact of bullying on wellbeing

When inappropriate behaviour is repeated over time it can become bullying.

Our definition of bullying is behaviour that harms or undermines, and that is repeated over time. While the person behaving this way may not be aware of the impact, we do have a responsibility to let them know.

Inappropriate, rude or other inappropriate behaviours which are experienced as a one off, while not bullying, are not acceptable as they can harm colleagues and patients.

Sometimes you may experience behaviours that you don’t like, but which are acceptable, for example when a manager is supporting someone in a respectful way to perform to the agreed level for their role.

The table shows the health impacts of bullying on those experiencing it.

The worksheet includes more data and evidence for the team to review and discuss.

Discussion: What are your thoughts about these impacts of bullying?

Download the worksheet here.

Worksheet for the evidence of the impact of bullying
Next: Your team charter