Bullying and harassment are often still thought of in terms of physical contact. However, as we become more dependent on modern technology, patterns of bullying and harassment have changed.
The impacts of cyberbullying can be devastating for staff and also detrimental to the morale and profitability of your company. Fortunately, there are ways to tackle this issue and the nature of this form of harassment tends to mean that there is quantifiable evidence. Outlined below are some tips for preventing cyberbullying in your company.
Set clear anti-harassment policies
When running your own business, you have the opportunity to set the tone. By implementing clear policies that make it clear that cyberbullying will not be tolerated, you could negate the risk of it occurring. Having clear anti-harassment policies means that potential perpetrators will be discouraged and victims feel that they have a management team that they can turn to for help.
Take accusations seriously
Any accusation of cyberbullying should be thoroughly investigated in a fair and responsible manner. Again, if employees see that harassment in a digital form is taken seriously, they will take comfort from the effective disciplinary measures in place to protect them.
Adequate training
Cyberbullying is frequently overlooked, which should not be the case. You may consider implementing training manuals or having training days that explain the serious nature of this phenomenon. This will give staff a clear indication of the open and inclusive workplace that you intend to foster.
Safe and content staff will ultimately be more productive for your business. Recognizing your legal rights and obligations will assist you in creating the prosperous working environment that you envisage.
