DISCRIMINATION AND BULLYING

The types of bullying we are concerned here involves experience like those associated with for example workplace bullying, neighbourhood bullying or societal bullying which includes a level of oppression or detriment through acts of force or deprivation in a form of tyranny by individuals or groups in positions of power against others in relatively less powerful positions or those with relatively different types of authority. This type of discrimination is described as unfair discrimination whereby the perception of being different is factor in being treated inequitably or unjustly.

The process of dealing with discrimination is as much as social model as it is an organisational one, and the process itself is long and demanding in terms of time and effort. Finding solutions to address specific forms of discrimination may not be universally acceptable, particularly as in short term, intervention may require targeting or concentrating on specific group and, at the same time, potentially excluding others. As such, attitudes to equality initiatives relating to gender, race, sexual orientation, religion and belief, and age and disability can differ significantly.

Bullying can mean harassing, offending, socially excluding someone or negatively affecting someone. It is also rooted in principles of unreasonableness and may include aspects of all aforementioned forms of discrimination.

Operations that encourages multiple variation of culture and subculture, particularly within a short time span, must be aware that variation can have unsettling impact on cultural norms of groups and affect inter-group relations.

The issues of discrimination and bullying are not complex but also, we increasingly function in diverse societies and in globalised workplace, interactions between people or workers of different backgrounds become inevitable; consequently, the need to have appropriate skills to manage inter-group relations becomes more essential. Similarly, fairness and ensuring equality of opportunity are regarded as universal rights.

The process of change is slow one but ultimately one to which we should all yield; discrimination and bullying can be clearly collocated. Change is best achieved one step at a time, but sometimes our steps are too slow and ponderous but then it will certainly happen in due course.