To Whom This May Concern

Workplace bullying is a criminal offence in Malaysia following an amendment to their Penal Code last year.

In a landmark move, Malaysia has amended its laws to criminalise all forms of bullying. The new sections specifically target bullying in any form, whether physical, verbal, psychological, or online. The provisions criminalise harassment, threats, insults, misuse of identity, and other forms of bullying, with severe penalties if such acts lead to attempted or completed suicide due to provocation. Convicted offenders may face up to 10 years' imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Bullying devastates lives. It destroys mental health. It pushes good people out of the work they love. And too often, in organisations that are supposed to exist to do good in the world, it gets swept under the carpet or is dealt with by moving the victim sideways rather than tackling the perpetrator and the systems that allowed them to bully their colleagues.

I've been making YouTube videos over the last few months about surviving toxic workplaces, and the comments people leave underneath are heartbreaking. People share their stories of being gaslit, undermined, humiliated, and isolated, sometimes for years. Even long-retired people have commented that the after-effects of these terrible experiences have remained with them. If you haven't seen my video on gaslighting at work, you can watch it here.

The sheer number of people saying "this is exactly what's happening to me" has shocked me, to be honest.

More scientifically than my observations on YouTube, a 2019 study of 5,235 employees from 47 organisations in Malaysia found that 39.1% of participants reported having been bullied at the workplace. Here in the UK, the CIPD reported in 2022 that 25% of employees said they have experienced conflict or abuse at work in the previous 12 months.

The new law in Malaysia reflects a growing awareness that psychological harm can be just as damaging as physical violence. Historically, such misconduct was often dismissed as "office politics," a "tough management style," or simply part of a high-pressure environment. Victims were frequently told to "toughen up."

In my work with organisations, I have often been brought in to work with teams in crisis, talking face to face with people about discrimination and workplace safety. I often wonder what it would take to not let these issues get to crisis point, how to design systems with workplace happiness built in from the outset.

If you're a leader in a charity or any organisation, please do take this seriously. You don't need the law to tell you that bullying is unacceptable. If you know it's happening on your watch, act. If you suspect it, investigate. Your people deserve better.

If you model respect, transparency and accountability, that's what grows. If you tolerate bullying, even quietly, even by looking the other way, that's what grows instead.

If you're an employee, join a union. Here's how (in the UK).

Useful links 🔗

ACAS guidance on bullying at work

Day of the Week 📆

🌙 Ramadan runs until approximately 20 March
✝️ Lent 2026 starts on Wednesday, February 18 and ends on Thursday, April 2
🐴 The Year of the Fire Horse in 2026 begins on February 17, 2026, and ends on February 5, 2027

For the first time in 60 years, the Year of the Fire Horse returned, marking a rare pairing of animal and element that last appeared in 1966. Ramadan and Lent 2026 also began this week.

Whether you observe any of these traditions or none of them, I like the idea that millions of people across different faiths, places, and cultures are simultaneously choosing to pause and think about what they want the next chapter to look like.

What am I reading? 📚

Nora Ephron's I Feel Bad About My Neck is funny, honest, and if you are a woman around my sort of age, you will find much to agree with.

What am I watching? 👀

Shrinking on Apple TV. Oh how we laughed at the series about the recently widowed therapist. But we did. It's ridiculous at times but Harrison Ford in a supporting role is excellent.

What am I listening to?👂

As I write this newsletter, I'm listening to Jill Scott's new album, To Whom This May Concern, and nodding along.

Joy-giving things 😍

We've had some fencing put up all round our garden and now I can plant more trees and hedges.

Don't worry we've left spaces for the foxes to visit.

Have a great weekend

Lucy

ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org.

If you’re looking to have a 1:1 chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Instagram, and LinkedIn.

🎬🎬🎬 YouTube 🎬🎬🎬

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Thank you for reading!