Tips on How to Deal with Workplace Bullying

Bullying in the workplace can take many forms and begin so subtly that we might not know what that it is happening until it has escalated. Once bullying has escalated it can become very difficult to stop.

Forms of bullying in the workplace can range from mild to severe unwanted negative events and might include the following:

Being pressured to consistently do substantial amounts of work which are way beyond what is in your job description. Or you could be subject to undermining behaviour by spending a significant amount of your time working below your pay grade such as being ordered to do the tasks which more junior staff usually do.
Experiencing ostracism from colleagues, for example, noticing that you are often excluded from discussions and events taking place within your team.
Having embarrassing rumours spread about you and feeling ridiculed because you are being gossiped about.
Being subject to unfavourable treatment by senior management, for example, being persistently prevented from accessing events and/or training which colleagues who have a similar role to you are usually allowed to access.
Intimidation from your colleagues and/or manager such as being shouted at.

Here are some tips to help you:

Enhance your knowledge about bullying

Ensure you are aware of what constitutes bullying, read your organisation’s policy for dealing with bullying which may be referred to as ‘Dignity at Work’. This policy should include examples about what constitutes bullying and it is useful to think about which of these examples you have been subject to. The policy should also specify the procedure for complaining formally about bullying which can guide you if you do decide to make a formal complaint about bullying. Access training and support and how to improve how you respond to bullying. You could go on training on how to improve your assertiveness and respond effectively to conflict.

Draw upon your support network

It is helpful to be a member of a trade union and speak to a representative who can give you advice, and also represent you in formal meetings with your employer. Your workplace might have dignity at work advisors and counsellors who can support you and help you deal with the problem. If the bullying you are experiencing is making you feel sick then speak to your GP about the problem and ask them what support they can provide for you to feel better. Are there any colleagues who might be able to help you? If so, speak to them about the problem and discuss the most effective ways they can help you. It is worthwhile to speak to your family and friends about the problem so they can understand why you might be feeling distressed and encourage you throughout the process.

Consider your options

Reflect upon the best ways to respond to bullying. Keep a diary to record incidents and note down the dates of events and if there were any witnesses. This can help you if you decide to lodge a formal complaint. Include in your diary how the bullying is making you feel. Your diary can become an emotional outlet to prevent you from bottling your keeping all your feelings inside or retaliating. Do you think making a formal complaint can help your problems to be taken seriously and addressed or do you think it might be more beneficial for you to look for a job elsewhere? You could explain to your manager how you feel bullied and ask them if you can be separated from the individual/s bullying you, for example, if you work in the same office you could ask if one of you can move into another office, or if you are working on the same project you could ask if you can work on other projects. Having some form of separation from the bullying could reduce the feelings of entrapment you might have.

Complain about bullying

Bullying can vary in severity and even if the bullying you are experience might not be profound it is better to nip it in the bud rather than let it escalate. There are various ways you can complain about bullying. You might complain informally about bullying to your colleagues. This might make you feel supported but it might not bring about the changes needed to address the problem. If you feel comfortable enough to speak to the person who is bullying you then do so and explain what they are doing which is making you feel distressed, how it is making you feel and ask them to adjust their behaviour.

You can complain informally about the bullying to your manager and to the manager of the individual/s bullying you. As part of a formal complaint process you could make an informal complaint in the first instance which will show how you have tried to address the matter informally. Make sure you have saved your evidence such as emails in case your bullying is investigated. If your bullying is investigated then colleagues might be interviewed about events. Your complaint might be upheld, partially upheld or not upheld. You can appeal against this decision in certain cases, for example, if those who investigated your complaint did not follow their procedure; consider fully your circumstances; or if new evidence has arisen. Even if your complaint has not been upheld you could still ask your employer to help resolve the conflict which has arisen such as through providing mediation.