Are you ready to handle bullying and harassment in your company? Do your leaders on board and ashore know what to do? If not, maybe now is a good time to get started.

What is harassment?

Harassment is a form of discrimination which has the purpose or effect of violating the dignity of a person and of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.

What is bullying?

Bullying is a form of harassment that includes hostile or vindictive behaviour, which can cause the recipient to feel threatened or intimidated. It results in a work environment in which a group of people or an individual may become threatened or intimidated because of the negative or hostile behaviour of another group of people or individual.

Bullying may involve a misuse of power or position and is often persistent and unpredictable. It may be vindictive, cruel or malicious. However, it can also arise when a person is unaware of the effect that their behaviour is having on other persons or does not have any intention to bully.

SExual harassment

Sexual harassment and gender discrimination are specific forms of harassment. Sexual harassment occurs when one employee makes continued, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature to another employee against his or her wishes.

HOW to deal with bullying and harassment at sea

You can read more about bullying and harassment in Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying, International Chamber of Shipping and International Transport Workers Federation.

Bullying and harassment can be very sensitive topics to address. If you feel that it is difficult to handle we can assist and provide practical hands on advice on how to deal with bullying and harassment at sea.