Feeling bullied when you go to work and not sure how to deal with it? Here is how to handle workplace bullying. Bullying is the consistent harmful mistreatment of an individual by one or more bullies. Workplace bullying often prevents one from efficiently getting their work done and often results in feelings of helplessness and a desire to quit the job entirely. Bullying is also not considered harassment and thus is not illegal, given that harassment is often based on a specific factor such as gender or race.
What are some examples of workplace bullying?
Workplace bullying can consist of a variety of forms, here are some cases of workplace bullying:
- Messages consisting of sexist or discriminatory remarks
- Posting mean or embarrassing posts on social media
- Threats of ending embarrassing messages or emails
- Micromanaging the tasks the employee is completing
- Taking credit for someone else’s work
- Spreading lies or gossiping about the employee
- Being rude to the employee in front of others
- Gaslighting the employee’s work or decisions
Related: What Are Examples of Retaliation in the Workplace?
How to deal with workplace bullying?
Here are some ways to deal with bullying in the workplace:
- Take a breather. Determine if the situation is truly bullying or if one is simply getting frustrated with critiques or advice from another employee.
- See if the company has a policy against bullying and bring it up to management. Most companies have no-tolerance policies which can aid in putting policies in place against the bully to prevent future bullying from occurring.
- Seek mental health help. A possible therapist or trusted family member can be helpful to express and let go of some of the recurring stress resulting from the job.
- Talk directly with the bully. Confrontation is not always easy but trying to put an end to the bullying may just take one standing up for themselves to confront and talk out the issue with the bully.
Related: How to Report Retaliation in the Workplace
- Document all incidents of bullying. This is pertinent in the case that one takes the situation to higher authorities at the workplace so there will be proof to supply for it.
- Consult with an attorney. If the case truly becomes too unbearable, seek legal action to remedy the situation and seek justice against the bully (utilizing the documentation kept detailing all the incidents).
- Pursue other job options. If it seems like there is no resolution in the future, pursue other opportunities and leave the position where the bully is causing such harm.
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