The video was created to offer space for reflection on the psychology of behaviours such as bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment in the workplace. It also looks at the impact of these behaviours on an individual and team, and shares ideas about how we can build positive work environments where such negative behaviours are not experienced. Watch part one of the video below.

How can we understand harmful behaviour in the workplace?

Antoinette Moriarty, Psychotherapist and Head of Law Society Psychological Services, discusses how we can understand harmful behaviour in the workplace by looking at the psychology of bullying. Bullying and harassment are complex dynamics between individuals, teams or wider organisations where multiple systems are all at play. It is important to look at what is manifested in that behaviour and to be curious as to what it may be connected to at an emotional or psychological level. Rather than jumping straight to blaming and shaming it may be helpful to ask ourselves what might the person be really trying to tell us?  Antoinette describes how bullying and harassment may be considered an overload where an individual’s capacity to manage something from a healthy framework is diminished and leads to the release of this excess on another person by being challenging or difficult towards them. Accordingly, multiple systems must be targeted in order for bullying prevention and intervention programs to be effective.

Background

In 2021, Law Society members and Law School trainees participated in the Dignity Matters survey. The survey asked about participants’ experience of work environments in Ireland, specifically as it relates to bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment. The final Dignity Matters Report was shared with members and trainees in November 2021 providing a suite of recommendations for the Law Society and the solicitors’ profession to prevent, respond to, and tackle bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in our profession to create a positive future. The recommendations were largely guided by the International Bar Association’s “Us Too?” report recommendations.

The report concluded there is an opportunity, by acting individually, collectively and cross-sectorally to create a profession where Dignity at Work is “endemic” and normalised to one that promotes, safeguards, and ensures dignity at work, for all members of the professional at all stages in their career.

Next Week’s Part 2 Video Release

In part 2 of the Dignity Matters Video, Noeline Blackwell, CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Member of the Law Society’s Human Rights and Equality Law Committee, Maeve Delargy, Council Member and Paul Hughes, Psychotherapist will address the impact of harmful behaviours.

Supports and Services

LegalMind is an independent and confidential mental-health support available to solicitors, Law School final year trainees and their dependants, 24 hours a day, and can be contacted at 1800 81 41 77. For PPC Law School trainees can contact counselling@lawsociety.ie. All members are invited to contact the Psychological Services with queries or ideas by emailing ps@lawSociety.ie.