The environment we work in, the people we work with and the support that is available to us.
The environment we work in, the people we work with and the support that is available to us can all contribute to happier, healthier working lives.
We should all be able to come to work knowing that our workplaces are free from all forms of bullying, harassment and undermining and be in an environment where we feel supported and can all thrive.
But we know that that is not always the case and some of you will be suffering. Bullying and harassment in the NHS is conservatively estimated to cost the taxpayer £2.281 billion per year. But the cost to people’s lives is much more and we know that if you are on the receiving end it is often very difficult to speak up or speak out. It can be toxic and corrosive and this can have dire consequences on your own wellbeing, and not least patient safety and care. Poor environments and damaging cultures impact physical and mental health, can lead to reduced performance and increased sickness absence and ill health.
We already know from surveys, such as that undertaken by the General Medical Council, that Emergency Medicine trainees and trainers are in the highest three specialties experiencing negative behaviours from colleagues at work. As part of Surviving in Scrubs sexual safety work Emergency medicine was the second highest specialty of colleagues reporting that they had experienced sexual harassment and abuse at work from colleagues.
To be part of the solution to all forms of abuse and harassment at work, we need to first recognise that there is a problem within our specialty and at the Royal College of Emergency Medicine we are working to help support those who are suffering; to offer practical solutions to help and to lobby for improvements and change.
If you are experiencing behaviours at work which are detrimental to you, know of a colleague who is suffering, or think you may be bullying or undermining a colleague or patients yourself – then this content is for you.
We all have a responsibility to look out for each other, to stand up for people and to call out poor behaviours. Without change, nothing will change. Your actions now can make all the difference.
+ What we provide
As a College we provide a range of content to help your learning and test your knowledge and understanding.
This section provides links and further reading on our learning and events content as well as links to other organisations and resources.
Its aim is to provide information and learning on issues such as bullying and harassment so that you can recognise these behaviours and signpost you to resources to help you take action in a way that you are comfortable with.
You can find other resources on our RCEMLearning website
If you think there is something missing, or have found other resources which have been helpful to you, please do get in touch: sharing could help someone else.
Unwanted behaviours:
A learning module about unwanted behaviours.
Behaviours that challenge:
Learning content about challenging behaviours.
The Anti-bullying Alliance document gives an overview of some of the initiatives being enacted across the healthcare professions to tackle undermining and bullying. It was put together following a conference hosted by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and the National Freedom to Speak Up Guardian to share ideas and enact interventions across the entirety of the NHS.
The EMJ Supplement April 2019 article: Bullying in the Emergency Department – Stopping the Vicious Cycle, gives advice to help you recognise bullying and tips on what to do. Read the full BMJ Supplement from April 2019.
Bullying in the ED is learning content we provide which also signposts to others links such as the National Bullying Helpline, which has helpful guides and tips about what to do.
Civility saves lives – healthcare professionals aiming to raise awareness of the power of civility in patient care and the impacts of incivility on teamwork and patient outcomes.
Learning content on Incivility in the ED.
Supporting our staff – a condensed version of the civility and respect toolkit.
Culture
Change begins with me: is a blog about culture and how you can impact it.
Undermining in the ED: a piece of learning content.
Delivering racial equality in medicine – a guide from the BMA
Experiences of Racism | Anti racism strategy – YouTube – A video from the NHS
Racism in the workplace – Guidance from the General Medical Council about what to do if you witness or experience racism in the workplace
What are ‘Microaggressions’? – an explanation on microagressions
Too Hot to Handle – The BRAP fairness and human rights charity survey on racism in the NHS
Am I guilty of racial discrimination? – A short reflective guide to consider whether you might be guilty of racial discrimination.
Surviving in Scrubs shares survivor stories of sexism, harassment, and sexual assault in the healthcare workforce, and links to training and education.
You can read about the BMA’s pledge about sexism and Sexism in the workplace and how to get involved.
Medical Women’s Foundation information on sexism
Catch up with on-demand events
Change begins with me. The key topics covered: The history of race, gender and medicine, including social determinants of health and key health inequities; understanding disability and neurodiversity and how to be an effective ally and advocate.
Are you thriving or surviving? | RCEM This event aims to present the latest evidence related to wellbeing and burnout, and talk about the current resources, mentoring and training available for the departmental leads and role models to implement it locally, as well as examples of good practice.
How to manage the transition from trainee to consultant: Small step not a giant leap | RCEM
This event aims to support colleagues in the important transition between trainee and consultant, taking in professional behaviour, tips and tricks for the first few years, avoiding pitfalls, understanding the bigger picture, practical advice including job planning, driving quality improvement ideas, and sustainability for a career in EM.
Our workplaces should be free from all forms of bullying, harassment and undermining. Our RespectED campaign is aimed at signposting and helping to direct you to resources and solutions to help you tackle these types of behaviours.
See our RespectED campaign page.
If you are suffering and need help we would encourage you to talk to someone. We know that this can be very difficult but there is help and support available.
+ Health AssuredRCEM has partnered with Health Assured, the UK and Ireland’s leading wellbeing provider to offer a 24 hour confidential helpline to support you through any of life’s issues or problems.
If you are a member you have access to the Individual Assistance Programme: you can access this via the members’ only section of our website, so please click below to access this – you will need your RCEM log in.
From August 2024, 87%, the provider of the RCEM Wellbeing app, will no longer be available, as the company advised us it has gone into liquidation. This means their services, assessment tools and app will no longer be available.
We understand that this news may come as a disappointment and cause some inconvenience for those who used this service, however this is beyond the College’s control.
Your NHS Trust may also have a range of resources in place locally.
A campaign for our workplaces which should be free from all forms of bullying, harassment and undermining.
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Creating successful, satisfying and sustainable careers in Emergency Medicine
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Ensure you are up to date with the latest Clinical Guidelines, which impact you and your patients by clicking the link below.
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