In short:

Are you being bullied at work? The answer is ‘yes’ if the behaviour towards you is unreasonable, repeated and risking your health, safety or wellbeing.

Bullying can be subtle, confusing and hard to name. It undermines your confidence and can go on to affect the whole team. Talk to us for practical strategies to recover and rebuild after being affected by bullying.

Bullying in nursing and midwifery remains a significant and well‑recognised issue and is often more prevalent than in other professions. Having a safe, confidential space to talk through what’s happening - without fear of repercussions - is critical. Support can help you understand the behaviour, consider options, plan next steps, and regain a sense of control.

Bullying may be experienced at any stage in your career. It is unacceptable in any workplace. Nurses, midwives and students who are bullied may experience:

feelings of shame
isolation and feel singled out
psychological stress
lowered self-confidence and self-esteem
depression and/or anxiety
PTSD and suicidal thoughts (in extreme cases)

Bullying - what it is, what it isn't

Bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour that can create a risk to health, safety and wellbeing. Bullying behaviour includes victimisation, intimidation, or threats. A single incident isn't workplace bullying. 

It’s important to understand the difference between feedback, performance management and bullying. Giving feedback or managing performance that is justified and reasonable is not bullying.

Identifying bullying is not always straightforward as bullying behaviours can be subtle. Subtle forms can include micromanagement, favouritism, humiliation, unreasonable workloads, and withholding necessary information. If you’re unsure if what you’re experiencing is bullying, seek out a trusted colleague, mentor or friend, or call us to talk it through. 

Harmful to us, our patients, our workplaces

Workplace bullying not only affects the person being bullied. It also impacts negatively on other staff and workplace culture. This can result in low staff morale, increased sick leave and high turnover. Perpetrators may be managers, supervisors, colleagues or other employees, patients and relatives.

Quick first steps if you’re being bullied

If you’re feeling unsafe or overwhelmed, try these immediate actions to protect yourself and get support - do them in whatever order you can.

Ensure immediate safety
Prioritise self-care – the basics – sleep, food, exercise
Tell one trusted person – don’t isolate yourself
Begin dated documentation now
Contact EAP/union/peer support
Seek short‑term counselling if possible
Consider confidential advice about reporting options.

Our workplaces must prevent bullying

As nurses and midwives, we have professional obligations to help create workplaces free from bullying. This is outlined in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics. Work environments built on a positive culture of mutual respect reduce the risk of bullying behaviours.  

In some settings harmful behaviours become normalised, and staff prioritise self‑preservation over speaking up. Many people (especially in caring professions) respond internally with “I should be able to handle this,” and need permission and validation to recognise that what they’re experiencing is not acceptable.

Leaders and organisations play a key role in prevention. Tackling unacceptable behaviours, supporting those affected, and fostering open, safe workplace cultures deters bullies and protects staff.

In a 2021 study, 38.8% of participants reported weekly or more frequent incivility or bullying. Nurses aged 25–34 years reported incivility or bullying and extreme behaviour more often than other staff (J. Westbrook, 2021). 

Bullied or harassed at work?

If you’re experiencing bullying or unsure what’s happening, you don’t have to manage it alone. Contact our service for confidential support.

Contact us

Definition: workplace bullying

Repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers creates a risk to health, safety or wellbeing. Unreasonable behaviour includes victimisation, humiliation, intimidation, threats or unreasonable work demands.

A single incident of unreasonable behaviour is not considered to be workplace bullying. However, it may have the potential to escalate and should not be ignored (Fair Work Ombudsman).