• A workplace bully is not just someone who is rude. They will engage in repeated aggressive behaviour toward someone less powerful, attempt to take improper control over a person and/or inappropriately assert their authority.

• The bully is likely to be an insecure person with poor to non-existent interpersonal skills and little empathy.

• They will subject victims to unjustified criticism and trivial fault finding. Other tactics include teasing, ridicule, isolating the victim and name calling.

• A bully will often be a superior to the victim but may be someone in a subordinate role.

• They will usually set their target up for failure by setting unrealistic goals or deadlines, humiliating the victim or increasing the workload to an impossible level.

• Bullies are driven by a need to control others.

• Bullying behaviour includes making derogatory remarks, shunning someone due to a disability or disfigurement, playing practical jokes, asking invasive personal questions and deliberately attributing blame.

* Source: Government of Bermuda Dignity at Work Policy and Complaints Procedure.