Ways To Tackle On-The-Job Bullying

Bullying is something we all hope not to have to tackle with after high school. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is a severe problem that many people face. Workplace bullying at the initial stage can begin innocuously and you may not realize it at first. An arrogant look or aggressive comments from your cabin mate.

At times you may have noticed that you are being excluded from important meetings. Maybe your workplace even includes behavior such as daily verbal humiliation by your boss in front of other employees. Such scenarios, no matter how trite or extremely horrifying, is classified as workplace bullying.

Many victims of on-the-job bullying never report the harassments because they fear retaliation or lack of confidence that their boss will address to the issue. However, experts suggest that it is extremely essential to speak up and resolve the bullying problem before it results to any physical or psychological harm. Here are some tips that can help you deal with work bullying:

• Do not get emotional or blame yourself for being bullied. Stay calm and rational to diffuse the problem.  Instead, be the best at your work so as to show your managers that you are a valuable employee.

• Go through the company’s handbook to check whether it has a any strict policy prohibiting harassment or behavior of workplace bullying. Many firms define acceptable standards of on-the- job behavior and have a process of punishing misconduct or filing complaints against such acts.

• Keep detailed notes of the bullying acts, including the circumstance of what took place with date and time. This will help you while filing an internal complaint or, perhaps, a lawsuit.

• Have a word with the person directly who has been bullying you. At times, a co-worker or boss doesn’t realize that their behaviors or active have been upsetting. Talking over it in a professional manner may resolve the issue. But don’t get trapped in a battle of words or create threats that could worsen the clashes. If you feel uncomfortable talking privately, then bring in a third person as this can help you out.

• If talking to the person directly doesn’t help, then it’s time to talk to the bully’s supervisor. If the oppressor is a CEO or a senior manager, approach another senior official or anyone close to the bully and ask that person to help resolve the situation.

• Don’t allow the bully to isolate you from your co-workers. Maintain good relationships with your peers so that you have support.

Don’t expect to change the bully. Besides being difficult, changing the real behavior can be difficult. You can only try your best to manage the situation, but it’s actually the company’s lookout and responsibility to be responsive and observant to the needs of their workers and the office environment as well.  However, if the scenario worsens, you may need to switch your job or be prepared for a conflict with your bully and your employer.