Workplace Bullying: The Risk Factors
30 May 2017

Organisational change
- Significant technological change;
- Restructuring / downsizing;
- Change in work method/s;
- Outsourcing; and
- Change in supervisor / manager
Negative leadership styles
Autocratic leadership characterised by:
- Styles that are strict and directive; workers not involved in decision making; and not allowing flexibility
Laissez-faire leadership characterised by:
- Inadequate or absent supervision; responsibilities inappropriately and informally delegated to subordinates; and little or no guidance provided to subordinates
Lack of appropriate work systems
- Lack of resources;
- Lack of training;
- Lack of role definition;
- Uncertainty about job roles and way work should be done;
- Poorly designed rostering;
- Unreasonable performance measures or timeframes; and
- Lack of support systems
Poor workplace relationships
- Criticism and other negative interactions;
- Negative relationships between supervisors and workers;
- Interpersonal conflict; and
- Workers excluded
Workforce characteristics
Vulnerable workers, including:
- Young workers;
- New workers;
- Apprentices;
- Injured workers and workers on return to work plans;
- Piece workers; and
- Workers in a minority because of: ethnicity, religion, disability, political views, gender or sexual preference