Do you think you are working with the bully?
Do you regularly feel intimidated and fear to work near a colleague?
Have you been screamed at over and over, insulted and put down, for some reason, this inappropriate behavior at work?
Does your colleague talk over you at meetings, criticize or steal credit for your work?
If you responded yes to any of these questions, you are probably one of the millions of people who have been assaulted by the bully at work.
Bullying can lead to health problems, excessive stress, and reduced work productivity – to name a few. However, it is important to take the appropriate measures to combat bullying at work to promote your well-being.
If you feel like you are being bullied at work, the first thing you need to do is take inventory of all the ways you could contribute to the predicament. It could be that there is nothing you can do to cause bullying (which often happens). However, the goal here is to increase the intensity of the situation and take responsibility if you might be provoking the behavior in any way. From this perspective, you can determine the best way to deal with the situation.
Naturally, many people are afraid to speak up when they are bullied. They may be concerned about what others think. If the bully is his boss or someone in a strong position, then the individual’s livelihood may be at stake. However, persistent and long-term bullying can have a negative impact on your well-being, which in turn can have a negative effect on your performance and your ability to do your job. Take care of yourself and build an action plan to combat this anxiety.
If you are not easy talking to the person who is bothering you directly, you may need to discuss this with your manager or your human resources. Choose the action plan that suits you, depending on your situation.
It is necessary that you do not take bullying personally. Remember that when someone bullies you, it’s more about them than you. Often the bully behaves from an insecure place and from the need to control. Adopt healthy emotional boundaries that prevent you from reacting or feeling uncomfortable when bullying occurs at work.
Speak up and stand your ground when you communicate with the bully. Your happiness is most important, and without it, you would not be good for anyone. If you have done everything you can in your power to eliminate bullying, but it’s still there, it is time to explore other options. Consider opportunities in other departments or with an entirely new business.
It is extremely important to remember the last part of the advice on how to fight bullying in the workplace: always document everything about your interactions with bullying. Not only does this provide a calendar of events, but it also helps you remember information more easily when needed. If the bully is trying to make you look bad or implies you are not doing your job, you can ask for written documentation and details he or she should have when questioned. In other words, try to contact by email when dealing with the bully, in order to have a written record of the communication.
The survey conclusions prove that there is a great need to fight bullying in the workplace. Take steps to support yourself if you find yourself affected by bullying in the workplace. Also, when you speak and take a stand for yourself, it allows others to do the same.
Don’t let your workplace bully win!