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.
Can workplace bullying affect your health?
Bullying can have significant, serious effects on physical and mental health. Symptoms can include feeling sick or anxious before work or when thinking about work, dreading going to work, wanting to stay home and increased risk for depression.
What to do if you are being bullied at work
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.
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.
