Background
Workplace bullying is nowadays recognised as a widespread and serious safety and health problem in working life. As a result of two decades of research, a substantial body of knowledge exists about bullying related to both organisational factors and the features of work that promotes bullying. A great amount of data exists also about the potential effects of bullying and harassment on the health and well-being of the targets.

However, bullying is not a problem only to the targets but to the whole workplace. Becoming bullied at work can have severe influence not only on the health and well-being of the targets of bullying but also on those who witness bullying at their workplace. Economic consequences to organisations and to the society can be considerable.

International research and co-operation have provided the researchers in the field with experience in preventing and handling bullying problems at workplaces. Practical measures, which help and support both the targets of bullying and the workplaces, where bullying has taken place, have also been adopted. Spreading information to all those working in this area is important. Researchers, occupational health and safety professionals as well as practitioners still need to discuss and explore the measurement of bullying and harassment, methods and practical tools available to prevent and handle bullying situations at the workplace.

Objectives
The course will provide up-to-date knowledge on the causes, risk factors and consequences of bullying. It will give the participants an opportunity to discuss ways of preventing severe conflicts and bullying at work and ways to help and support the victims of bullying as well as workplaces where bullying is taking place.

Target group
The course is targeted at both researchers and practitioners, and will be of particular interest to occupational safety and health professionals, trade union officials, labour inspectors, organisational consultants, and clinical therapists as well as PhD students in this field.

Main topics

• The concept of bullying and mobbing at work
• The aetiology of bullying at work, antecedents and causes, and the escalating bullying process
• Gender, race and ethnicity as antecedents of bullying
• Harsh interpersonal conflicts: causes, consequences, process
• The effects of bullying on health and well-being of the victim
• Organisational consequences of bullying
• How to measure and survey workplace bullying in organisations
• Practical measures to prevent bullying and harassment at work
- interventions and best practice
• Investigating complaints in workplace bullying
• Interventions in bullying cases and ways of supporting and helping the victims of bullying
• The role of the third party: mediator, consultant, counsellor, etc.

Course structure
The course will consist of lectures given by internationally known experts in the field, case presentations, discussions, and group work. The participants are also encouraged to present their own research as well as their experience in handling bullying situations at workplaces.

Lecturers
Ståle Einarsen, Prof., PhD, University of Bergen, Norway; Helge Hoel, PhD, Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, UK; Maarit Vartia, PhD, Senior Specialist, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Finland

Location and accommodation
The course will be held at Hotel Silvanus, Visegrád, Hungary. Visegrád lies about 47 km to the north of Budapest, at the meeting point of the Danube-bend and the Pilis mountains. This charming little town has had a restless history and celebrates its Millennium in 2009. Hotel Silvanus is embedded into the undisturbed forest on the hillside above Visegrád, near the ruins of the Citadel. It offers a breathtaking view of the Danube-bend. There is a wellness centre in the hotel and all spa services are at the disposal of the hotel guests free of charge. For more information please visit www.hotelsilvanus.hu

The full board price from Sunday to Friday including accommodation, breakfast, lunch, conference coffee and dinner amounts to EUR 780. A get-together dinner on Sunday (Royal Feast of the Renaissance), course dinner in Nagyvillám Hunter's Inn on Thursday and a trip and dinner in Budapest are also included in the price. A visit to the Citadel on Wednesday is optional and thus not included in the price. Minor changes in the price might be possible. There will also be a day-package available.

Registration deadline
31 July 2009. A letter of confirmation will be sent to the participants after the registration deadline.

Registration fee
EUR 550 (accommodation and meals are not included in this price)
When paying the registration fee, please indicate:

 
1. Your name, 2. registration fee, 3. course code 4908. 

The payment should be made four weeks before the start of the course to:
NIVA
Nordea Bank Finland Plc
Meilahti Branch, Tukholmankatu 2
FI-00250 Helsinki , Finland
Account no: 226238-2043
IBAN: FI79 2262 3800 0020 43
Swift code: NDEAFIHH

Cancellation and refund policy
Cancellations received by 15 July: full refund
Cancellations received by 5 August: 50% refund of the registration fee
Cancellations received after 5 August 2009: no refund

Course leaders and main lecturers of the course
Ståle Einarsen, PhD
University of Bergen
Faculty of Psychology
Christies gate 12
NO-5015 Bergen, Norway
Tel: +47 55588 9079
Fax +47 5558 9879
E-mail: stale.einarsen@psych.uib.no

Helge Hoel, PhD
Manchester Business School
University of Manchester
Booth Street West
Manchester
M15 6PB
UK
Tel: +44 161 200 8784
Fax +44 161 200 3450
E-mail: helge.hoel@mbs.ac.uk

Maarit Vartia, PhD
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A
FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358 30 474 2790
Fax +358 30 4742552
E-mail: maarit.vartia@ttl.fi

Course coordinator
Zsuzsanna Renkó-Michelsén
NIVA
Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A
FIN-00250  Helsinki, Finland
Tel. +358 30 474 2498
Fax +358 30 474 2497
E-mail: zsuzsanna.renko@ttl.fi

Yes I want to register to the course