Understanding Workplace Bullying: A Research-Informed Seminar

Anti-bullying and respectful relationships training is standard across universities, but it doesn't always change behaviour. This seminar takes a different approach: rather than a traditional workshop, it presents the research evidence on workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour, framed through systems thinking and organisational complexity.

What the session covers:

-          Why inappropriate workplace behaviour is better understood as a complex, systemic issue than a simple interpersonal conflict;

-          What the research tells us about how such behaviour is identified, the range of behaviours involved (overt and subtle), and the conditions that let them persist;

-          Why effective responses need to work across multiple levels (individuals, bystanders, teams, and organisational systems) and multiple points in time (prevention, in-the-moment response, and recovery/learning);

-          Small-group discussion to connect the research to your own experience;

-          Open Q&A

Speaker:

Dr Sara Branch, Griffith University

Dr Sara Branch is a Senior Research Fellow within the Griffith Criminology Institute and Office of the Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) at Griffith University. Sara has a background in Organisational Psychology and has focused much of her practice-research on understanding workplace bullying, facilitating change and supporting partnerships. Her current work focuses on applying organisational theory to enhance processes for collective action (and change) in communities and organisations.

Enquiries: Anna Matviichuk, eo.cosm@anu.edu.au