Bystander intervention

There is a growing movement that encourages us all to be active bystanders. Originating from work in preventing sexual violence, it is now widely used to urge us all to not sit back but to call out inappropriate behaviour to ensure we all feel safe and secure in our workplace.

In organisations we are all bystanders; situations unfold around us and it is often easy to let things pass us by, even if they make us feel uncomfortable or uneasy. The occasional unacceptable comment can subsequently become normalised and before we know it a culture where people feel excluded or unsafe is established.

Becoming an active bystander (as a leader, a colleague or a member of the communities we live in) means not letting something that has made us feel uneasy pass us by without taking action. By doing so we can create a culture where unacceptable behaviour or attitudes are challenged and a safer more inclusive structure is encouraged.

To become an active bystander means that we need to safely intervene. This can involve actions such as not laughing at a sexist or inappropriate joke, pointing out that while a person’s behaviour was not intentional it was experienced as being a micro-aggression, and talking to colleagues about how their behaviour impacts on others.

What makes an active bystander?

Active bystanders are able to:

• Notice the event – they witness a situation and acknowledge the negative behaviours displayed.

• Interpret it as a problem – they do not assume the issue has been resolved or underestimate its importance.

• Feel responsible for dealing with it – they empathise with the victim and recognise that not intervening means being indirectly complicit.

• Possess the necessary skills to act – they possess the courage and confidence in their ability to intervene effectively.

Employers have an important responsibility for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of their employees. Encouraging active bystander behaviour is crucial for fostering a secure, psychologically healthy, and inclusive workplace atmosphere. Inclusive Employers (see here) provide guide for employers to promote and increase active bystanders in the workplace.

This includes:

• Training: Provide interactive training opportunities to help employees identify and respond to bullying, harassment, discrimination, and violence. Offer workshops, simulations, or online courses covering topics like courageous conversations, psychological safety, and active bystander training, equipping employees with practical intervention strategies.

• Policies and procedures: Establish clear policies and procedures for reporting incidents of harassment, discrimination, and/or violence. This may involve anonymous reporting mechanisms, procedures for investigation and follow-up, and defined consequences for perpetrators. Such actions will help empower employees to speak up and intervene when they observe harmful behaviour.

• Employee engagement surveys: Survey employees to establish if they feel comfortable speaking up when they witness or experience discrimination, harassment, or other harmful behaviours. This can help evaluate the effectiveness of policies and training programmes. Ensure survey questions are respectful and non-intrusive, and data should be kept confidential.

• Role models: Encourage leaders and managers to model active bystander behaviour.

• Supportive culture: Foster a supportive culture that promotes active bystander behaviour. This involves recognising and rewarding employees who intervene in difficult situations, offering support and resources for victims, and cultivating an environment of respect and inclusion.

• Ongoing assessment: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of active bystander training programmes and make adjustments as necessary. This involves gathering feedback from employees, tracking reported incidents, analysing trends by seniority and departments, and monitoring the overall workplace culture.

A sense of psychological safety is crucial for encouraging bystander intervention. More information on psychological safety can be found in KFP1 Safe and Secure.