Bullying was recently addressed as a form of harassment - Dr. Layton

Bullying has been recently recognised and addressed as a form of harassment by the International Labour Organization Convention.

This was highlighted by the former Australian Supreme Court Judge, Dr. Robyn Layton, this morning during the navigating the nuisance of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace presentation at Suva Business Centre.

Layton says bullying is a form of harassment when a person or group repeatedly behave unreasonably and create a physical and psychological risk for another individual or group.

This can be through physical acts, verbal acts or social exclusion.

She says the objective of the panel discussion is to raise awareness about sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace and to promote a safe and inclusive workplace for all.

She says the International Labour Convention 2019 is a vital convention under which Fiji was the second country to ratify C190 on the 25th of June 2020.

Layton says the core elements to address workplace harassment includes prevention, meaning harassment needs to be stopped even before it starts, to recognise the fact that some are hesitant to report the matter; and responsive assistance is to provide psychological support.