Kitty Genovese

Bystander Behaviour To intervene Notice Interpret as problem Decide personal action required Choose action Implement action

Bystander Effect Bystanders are less likely to help if there are others present Pluralistic ignorance Diffusion of responsibility Evaluation apprehension

Moral disengagement Rationalise and justify Euphemistic labelling Minimising harm Dehumanisation Attribution of blame

Participant Roles Pure bullies Pure victims / provocative victims Bully assistants Bully reinforcers Bystanders Defenders

Overcoming social inhibition High status Well-liked by peers Empathetic Emotionally stable Cognitively able

Barriers to speaking out It’s not my business I could get bullied myself I didn’t know what to do

What works?

Changing Social Norms ? Common law – no duty to rescue Busybody, tattletale... History and inertia

Factors conducive to bullying Work design - hierarchical Inadequate behaviour of leaders Socially exposed position of the target Low morale Hierarchical workplace

Culture of the organisation Leadership and responsibility Role models Capacity to deal with the perpetrator

Employer responsibilities Policy, policy, policy (we really mean it) Our leaders are good and will do the right thing Look after ourselves first Healthy team functioning

Manager and Leaders Training –Recognise tension and conflict –Emotional intelligence –Guidelines for roles – positive behaviours Mentoring

Awareness Specifics – what it is, what to do Opportunities to practice What does a healthy team look like ? Social marketing