Energizer_Bunny
05-08-04, 09:53 PM
Bullies at Work
Does your boss shout at you or constantly put down your ideas in front of
others? Does a co-worker make fun of you, often getting others to join in?
If managers or co-workers make your life so miserable you can't function
well at work or at home, you may be a victim of workplace bullying. Though
we usually associate bullies with the schoolyard, workplace bullying is
increasingly recognized as a workplace issue, and there may be steps you
can take to stop it.
Defining the problem
Workplace bullying can be hard to define. After all, one person's "tough
management" style or "strong personality" may be another person's
bullying. And there is often a fine line between the two. So when does a
personality conflict become bullying? There are several important
elements.
1. Is the behavior repeated? Anyone can have an occasional heated argument
that results in name-calling or even a threat about losing your job. It's
unpleasant and may be unwarranted, but it's not necessarily bullying.
However, if that behavior is persistent, over weeks, months, or even
years, you may suspect bullying.
2. Is it unreasonable? Signs of bullying may be present when your
supervisor constantly nit-picks or finds fault with your performance (even
though you have performed to standards), singles you out or treats you
differently, shouts at or humiliates you, monitors you excessively, or
imposes verbal or written warnings. You may be denied sick leave or
vacation time allowed you. Managers and co-workers may also bully you by
making fun of your appearance or habits, making distorted or fabricated
allegations about you, or even making physical threats.
3. Does it create a risk to your health (mental or physical) or safety? If
the behaviors listed above are causing you to lose sleep, gain or lose a
lot of weight, break down at work or at home, or give you so much anxiety
you can't function at work or in your personal life, you may be
experiencing bullying.
Why bully?
Most bullying is an abuse of power. Many studies show that bullies may be
insecure people who need to wield power in order to feel better about
themselves. Other studies show that bullies have a high amount of
self-esteem that is misplaced, or that they overexert their self-esteem in
one area to hide inadequacies in another.
Why you?
Most people who are bullied are actually good workers -- smart, honest,
dependable, and good-natured, traits that may make a bully jealous.
Bullies try to take advantage of people who are forgiving, tolerant, and
loyal, as well as those who are timid and have a hard time saying "no,"
because they think you won't do anything about their behavior.
What can you do?
1. Admit it. Some people don't want to acknowledge that they are being
bullied, because that can add to their shame and fear. But once you admit
it's happening, you may be better prepared to do something about it.
2. Take notes. Keep track of the incidents as well as copies of anything
written about you on paper or email so you can document the behavior to
support your case.
3. Speak up. You may want to confront the bully. It's possible the person
isn't aware of the effect their actions are having on you. Try to be calm
and objective, not accusatory. If you don't get results from that
approach, speak to your supervisor if the bully is a colleague. If your
boss is the bully, take your concerns to the human resources department or
employee assistance program or employee resource program, if your
organization has one. If you belong to a trade union, people there may be
able to give you advice or act as a third party to resolve the problem.
4. Be prepared to leave. In some cases there is no other choice but to
leave your job. Perhaps the bully owns the organization, or despite your
actions the bully does not stop. Although it may seem at first that
leaving your job lets the bully "win," you may find that the relief of not
having to work in such a stressful situation makes you the big winner.
From Ceridian Corporation.
Does your boss shout at you or constantly put down your ideas in front of
others? Does a co-worker make fun of you, often getting others to join in?
If managers or co-workers make your life so miserable you can't function
well at work or at home, you may be a victim of workplace bullying. Though
we usually associate bullies with the schoolyard, workplace bullying is
increasingly recognized as a workplace issue, and there may be steps you
can take to stop it.
Defining the problem
Workplace bullying can be hard to define. After all, one person's "tough
management" style or "strong personality" may be another person's
bullying. And there is often a fine line between the two. So when does a
personality conflict become bullying? There are several important
elements.
1. Is the behavior repeated? Anyone can have an occasional heated argument
that results in name-calling or even a threat about losing your job. It's
unpleasant and may be unwarranted, but it's not necessarily bullying.
However, if that behavior is persistent, over weeks, months, or even
years, you may suspect bullying.
2. Is it unreasonable? Signs of bullying may be present when your
supervisor constantly nit-picks or finds fault with your performance (even
though you have performed to standards), singles you out or treats you
differently, shouts at or humiliates you, monitors you excessively, or
imposes verbal or written warnings. You may be denied sick leave or
vacation time allowed you. Managers and co-workers may also bully you by
making fun of your appearance or habits, making distorted or fabricated
allegations about you, or even making physical threats.
3. Does it create a risk to your health (mental or physical) or safety? If
the behaviors listed above are causing you to lose sleep, gain or lose a
lot of weight, break down at work or at home, or give you so much anxiety
you can't function at work or in your personal life, you may be
experiencing bullying.
Why bully?
Most bullying is an abuse of power. Many studies show that bullies may be
insecure people who need to wield power in order to feel better about
themselves. Other studies show that bullies have a high amount of
self-esteem that is misplaced, or that they overexert their self-esteem in
one area to hide inadequacies in another.
Why you?
Most people who are bullied are actually good workers -- smart, honest,
dependable, and good-natured, traits that may make a bully jealous.
Bullies try to take advantage of people who are forgiving, tolerant, and
loyal, as well as those who are timid and have a hard time saying "no,"
because they think you won't do anything about their behavior.
What can you do?
1. Admit it. Some people don't want to acknowledge that they are being
bullied, because that can add to their shame and fear. But once you admit
it's happening, you may be better prepared to do something about it.
2. Take notes. Keep track of the incidents as well as copies of anything
written about you on paper or email so you can document the behavior to
support your case.
3. Speak up. You may want to confront the bully. It's possible the person
isn't aware of the effect their actions are having on you. Try to be calm
and objective, not accusatory. If you don't get results from that
approach, speak to your supervisor if the bully is a colleague. If your
boss is the bully, take your concerns to the human resources department or
employee assistance program or employee resource program, if your
organization has one. If you belong to a trade union, people there may be
able to give you advice or act as a third party to resolve the problem.
4. Be prepared to leave. In some cases there is no other choice but to
leave your job. Perhaps the bully owns the organization, or despite your
actions the bully does not stop. Although it may seem at first that
leaving your job lets the bully "win," you may find that the relief of not
having to work in such a stressful situation makes you the big winner.
From Ceridian Corporation.