Every organisation wants to provide a workplace where people feel respected, safe and valued. Yet despite widespread awareness, robust policies and increased reporting, workplace bullying and incivility continue to undermine employee wellbeing, engagement and organisational performance.
In this episode of The HR Room Podcast, Dave and Liam Barton (Commercial Director - Insight HR) are joined by Dr. Renee Thompson, CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, to explore why workplace bullying remains such a persistent challenge and what organisations can do to build healthier workplace cultures where respect becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Guests
Topics include:
- Why workplace bullying continues despite increased awareness
- The difference between bullying and workplace incivility
- Why senior leaders often have the greatest influence on workplace culture
- Common mistakes organisations make when responding to bullying complaints
- Why policies alone are not enough to prevent workplace bullying
- The importance of training managers to recognise and address inappropriate behaviour
- Building a culture where difficult conversations happen early
- The relationship between psychological safety, respect and employee engagement
Key Takeaways for HR Leaders
- Workplace bullying is no longer primarily an awareness issue—it's an execution issue.
- Organisations must clearly distinguish between bullying and lower-level workplace incivility.
- Policies are essential, but culture is shaped by everyday behaviours and leadership actions.
- Managers need the confidence and skills to address inappropriate behaviour promptly.
- Leadership commitment is critical to creating psychologically safe workplaces.
- Employees are more likely to report concerns when they trust the organisation will act fairly.
- Respect, trust and open communication are stronger drivers of engagement than perks alone.
Resources Mentioned
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About The HR Room Podcast
The HR Room Podcast is brought to you by Insight HR, where we speak with HR leaders, legal experts and workplace specialists from across Ireland about the issues shaping the future of work.
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