RECOGNIZING BULLYING

When you look for something, you need to know what you’re looking for.  So the starting point is the definition of bullying.

Bullying is goal-directed, intentionally aggressive behaviour which is either excessive or unnecessary, directed by one person (the bully) toward another person (the target), with one of the goals being to harm the target.

Bullying is functional; it serves a purpose.
	Bullies bully for a reason; they are using bullying as a tool to achieve their goal(s).
	Bullying is used against a group’s non-members, against outsiders.
	At work, bullying may be used to get a job done faster, to reinforce that they’re the boss.
Bullying is intentionally aggressive behaviour.
	Bullying is deliberate. It is not accidental, despite what they may say afterwards.
	The target is hurt physically, socially or emotionally as a result of what the bully has done.
	The bully can use words and/or actions to hurt their target.
	It can be what is said as well as how it is said that hurts.
	The words don’t have to be yelled out in anger to hurt; they can be delivered with a smile.
Bullying is either excessive or unnecessary.
	The target will be more susceptible to various illnesses, easily catching colds and flus.
	The target will be susceptible to stomach problems, such as stomach aches and gas.
Bullying is personal.
	The bully chooses the person they target.
	The bully wants to hurt, embarrass or shame their target (and that’s one of their goals)