Caution

The information provided in Bullying in Australian (and Other) Workplaces may assist readers in a general way only.  Readers should make their own assessment as to its relevance for their purposes and obtain appropriate professional guidance.

Before attempting to apply the advice provided in any short passages from Bullying in Australian (and Other) Workplaces, readers should be aware that only brief summaries of authors’ advice are included. A fuller examination of their work should be undertaken before attempting to follow their suggestions.  Also, their advice may imply, often wrongly, that it is easily applied. But some of the advice such as detaching emotionally, controlling meetings with bullies, identifying a bully’s personality type, and reducing face-to-face contact with them is more easily said than done.

Self-help books or advice on the Internet should not be the only sources of guidance for employees’ problem-solving on workplace bullying. In some instances, the advice given may be totally unsuited to the employee’s individual circumstances.  Sometimes the authors have education, intelligence, insights, experience, motivation, confidence, abilities and status that far exceed those of many of us. So, it can be wrong to assume that their advice suits everyone.

Advice from books and the Internet on this topic should always be combined with guidance from informed people familiar with the reader’s individual circumstances such as a general practitioner, counsellor, trade union representative, workplace health and safety authority or lawyer.

Readers who’ve been mistreated at work should be aware that reading this book may prompt distressing thoughts about their experience. Supports available include emergency services, telephone helpline services, the emergency department of a hospital, general practitioners, psychologists and qualified counsellors.  It’s very common for people to feel anxious when reminded of their distressing experiences.  When this is the case, seeking help is a good course to follow and most people benefit from doing so promptly.

The book contains a Who to Contact section for Australian readers.

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