Dealing with Bullying in the Workplace 2021
What is workplace bullying?
Workplace bullying is harmful, targeted behaviour that happens at work. It might be spiteful, offensive, mocking, or intimidating. It forms a pattern, and it tends to be directed at one person or a few people.
A few examples of workplace bullying include:
targeted practical jokes
being purposely misled about work duties, like incorrect deadlines or unclear directions
continued denial of requests for time off without an appropriate or valid reason
threats, humiliation, and other verbal abuse
excessive performance monitoring
overly harsh or unjust criticism
Criticism or monitoring isn’t always bullying. For example, objective and constructive criticism and disciplinary action directly related to workplace behaviour or job performance aren’t considered bullying.
Identifying workplace bullying
Bullying can be subtle. One helpful way to identify bullying is to consider how others might view what’s happening. This can depend, at least partially, on the circumstances. But if most people would see a specific behaviour as unreasonable, it’s generally bullying.
Bullying may occur more frequently in work environments that:
are stressful or change frequently
have heavy workloads
have unclear policies about employee behaviour
have poor employee communication and relationships
have more employees who are bored or worried about job security
Can workplace bullying affect your health?
Bullying can have significant, serious effects on physical and mental health.
While leaving a job or changing departments could end the bullying, this isn’t always possible. Even when you can remove yourself from the bullying environment, the impact of bullying can last long after bullying has stopped.
Physical health effects of bullying
If you’re being bullied, you may:
feel sick or anxious before work or when thinking about work
have physical symptoms, such as digestive issues or high blood pressure
have a higher risk for type 2 diabetes
have trouble waking up or getting quality sleep
have somatic symptoms, such as headaches and decreased appetite
Mental health effects of bullying
Psychological effects of bullying may include:
thinking and worrying about work constantly, even during time off
dreading work and wanting to stay home
needing time off to recover from stress
losing interest in things you usually like to do
increased risk for depression and anxiety
suicidal thoughts
low self-esteem
self-doubt, or wondering if you’ve imagined the bullying
How to handle bullying at work
Research your company's policy
If you're being bullied at work or know of someone who is, research your company's policies to determine the proper protocols to report such activity. Many organizations have a no-tolerance policy for such behaviour, which includes reporting guidelines when being subject to or witnessing it.
If your organization doesn't have a policy or the current policy needs updating to reflect remote work arrangements, speak to your manager or HR department about putting a new policy in place to protect employees from abuse and bullying.
Take a breath
If you feel you are being bullied at work, take a breather to size up the situation. From a calm and grounded perspective, you can determine the best way to deal with the situation.
Take care of your wellbeing
Understandably, many individuals are afraid to speak up when they are being bullied. They might be concerned about what others will think. And, if the bully is their boss or someone in a position of power, then one's livelihood is at stake.
Take care of yourself by pulling resources together to support you. A mental health professional or counsellor is an excellent place to start to help you deal with the stress of bullying and come up with solutions on how to handle it.
Talk to your higher-ups or HR
If you are not comfortable speaking to the individual who is bullying you directly, you might need to discuss it with your manager or human resources. Choose the course of action that feels best for you for your situation.
Don't take it personally
While this is easier said than done, do your best to not take bullying personally. Remember, when someone is bullying you, it's more about them than it is about you. Often, a bully is acting from a place of insecurity, jealously, and/or from a need to control.
Address the issue directly and rise above it
This won't always be possible or comfortable, but it is often best to speak up and stand your ground when communicating with a bully. At the same time, you want to be professional and take the high road.
Document all of it
Always document everything related to your interactions with the bully. This not only provides a timeline of events, but it also helps you recall information more easily when needed.
Consult with an Attorney
Bullying that is also considered harassment is illegal. If you don't get a resolution at work after going through all of the channels you know to go through, you might want to speak to an attorney to discuss your options. Generally, this is a last resort due to cost and time required to pursue legal channels but could be worth it depending on your circumstances.
