How to identify bullying

Bullying can come in many forms. The same behaviour by colleagues can count as bullying, or not as bullying. It depends on the situation and on how it makes you feel.

The following can be examples of bullying:

• Colleagues/boss stop their conversations when you join in.
• Colleagues/boss don't listen to you (but they do listen to others).
• Colleagues/boss don't greet you (but they greet everyone else).
• Colleagues/boss shout at you.
• You get hurtful criticism for your work, for example criticism that is not factual, like "a three-year-old could have done that better!"
• You are assigned tasks that are too difficult or too easy (the aim here is to put you under too much or too little strain).
• Aspects about you are insulted, such as where you come from or your private life.
• You are exposed to physical or psychological violence.
• You are sexually harassed.

If this happens frequently, regularly and systematically, then it is called bullying.

It may be the case that you are bullied by your boss. This is known as “bossing” in German. For example, superiors may give you incorrect instructions and criticise you in an inappropriate tone. Your appearance can also be attacked with insults or sayings.

Please note: (physical or psychological) violence and sexual harassment are criminal offences! Get help immediately from your Fair Integration advice centre!