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Mon 25 Aug 2025 23:13

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Bullying at school and at work are serious problems that affect both children and adults. Aggression and bullying behavior can have a major impact on the safety and well-being of those involved. It is important to understand the causes, consequences and possible preventive measures to ensure a safer learning and working environment for all

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In schools, bullying can lead to emotional and psychological damage for both victims and perpetrators. It can also affect the learning ability of the students involved. Bullying at work can lead to lower productivity, a poor work atmosphere and even job loss. Prevention and intervention of bullying in both schools and the workplace require commitment and cooperation from all parties involved, including teachers, supervisors, parents and colleagues

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Content of this article

The Psychology Behind Bullying

Definition and Forms of Bullying Behavior

Bullying can occur in a variety of ways, both at school and at work. It can be verbal, physical or social harassment. Some forms of bullying include cyberbullying, physical violence, sexual harassment and exclusion. Despite the fact that teasing sometimes seems harmless, it can have equally negative consequences. If you are facing bullying, it is important to recognize it and take action

Emotional Effects of Bullying

Bullying can have serious emotional effects. Some examples include:

It is very important to recognize these feelings and seek help if needed. Visiting a psychologist can be helpful in addressing the effects of bullying

Social Skills and Empathy

An important aspect of bullying is the bully’s lack of empathy. Empathy is the ability to empathize with the emotions of others. Developing empathy and social skills can help prevent bullying behavior. Educational programs can increase understanding of the effects of bullying, both online and in real life. These interventions can be implemented on a larger scale, such as in the form of plays or workshops. With the right support and guidance, bullying behavior can be reduced or even prevented

Bullying in Education

Bullying in School

Bullying in education is a common problem affecting both elementary and secondary school students. In elementary education, 11% of students in grades 6 through 8 are sometimes to often bullied, according to figures from Stop Bullying Now. In secondary education, the percentage of victims is around 5.3% according to the Netherlands Youth Institute

Bullying behavior can affect students’ school performance and well-being, and it is therefore important for schools and parents to be alert to signs of bullying. Schools are required to develop a safety plan to address bullying and create a safe learning environment. In doing so, it is important that both teachers and students are involved in developing and implementing anti-bullying policies

Some measures schools can take are:

Bullying at Work

In addition to bullying at school, bullying at work is also common

A recent CNV survey of 2,700 workers shows that more than a quarter of them (27%) have experienced bullying behavior at work, such as harassment, gossiping or laughing at them. This amounts to 2.6 million employed people experiencing bullying behavior. Interestingly, 16% of respondents were bullied by their supervisor

Of those who are bullied, more than half report that bullying or transgressive behavior is not addressed in the workplace, and a quarter report that bullies get away with their behavior. 43% of respondents report that tensions increase because of high work pressures

So it is important to take complaints seriously and take timely action

If you are being bullied at work, there are several steps you can take to raise the issue:

By being open about what’s going on and collaborating with others, you work to solve this difficult problem. For both schools and workplaces, a collaborative approach and good communication are crucial to effectively combat bullying

Prevention and Intervention

Effective Approach to Bullying

Establishing a bullying protocol is an important step in preventing and addressing bullying at school. This describes how the organization deals with bullying behavior, as well as the responsibilities of all parties involved

Campaign 4 dots against bullying

The 4 dots against bullying campaign is an initiative to help prevent and combat bullying in education. It includes several strategies to address bullying:

In the Netherlands, there is legislation that addresses bullying at school and bullying at work. For example, schools are required to have policies aimed at preventing, addressing and countering bullying by the Wet Veiligheid op school. Businesses also have regulations in place to protect employees from bullying and other unwanted behavior

As an employee or student, you have a right to a safe environment. For this reason, every school and organization should have a point of contact for complaints of bullying. This point of contact is often a confidant or supervisor. If you are being bullied, it is important to report the problem to this point of contact

In addition to a point of contact, there is often a complaint committee that you can contact if you are not satisfied with the handling of your complaint. This committee investigates the complaint and gives advice to the school or company on how to handle the situation

Monitoring and Evaluation

To ensure a safer environment, it is important for schools and companies to regularly monitor how things are going in terms of (social) safety. This can be done, for example, through the safety monitor. Schools use this tool to collect data on bullying in their educational institutions. This data is often collected and evaluated annually by the school and the Inspection

Industry also looks at employee safety, such as through internal audits or external surveys. Organizations can use this information to take targeted measures to address bullying and create a safe work environment

In some cases, bullying behavior can even lead to crime or involvement of the police. If bullying degenerates into threats, violence or stalking, there may be criminal consequences. It is important to notify the police and/or the point of contact as soon as possible in such a situation

By taking appropriate measures and closely monitoring safety in schools and businesses, we can together effectively combat bullying at school and at work

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a safe work environment?

To create a safe work environment, it is important to foster a culture of respect and tolerance. Ensure that clear rules against bullying are in place at work and everyone is aware of these rules. Encourage open communication and encourage employees to report problems to the appropriate person, such as a supervisor or confidential advisor. In addition, you can offer trainings and workshops to raise awareness and improve social skills

What actions can I take if I witness bullying at work?

If you witness bullying at work, it is important to take action. Offer help and support to the bullied colleague by listening to their story and advising them of possible steps. Report the bullying behavior to the supervisor or confidential advisor so that appropriate action can be taken. If possible, gather evidence of the bullying behavior, such as emails or witness statements

What are my rights if I’m bullied at work?

If you are bullied at work, you have rights to protect yourself. Every employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment and to prevent or address bullying. You can report bullying behavior to your supervisor, confidential advisor or works council. If the bullying behavior persists or the situation worsens, you have the right to file a formal complaint with the independent grievance committee or even take legal action

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