Learning how to handle bullying
in the workplace on any level is important, as it concerns the mental and
emotional health, as well as the safety of everyone.
Unfortunately, bullying is a
daily event that occurs in workplaces. Be aware that there are bullies on every
level of employment and that bullying can take on brutal forms and escalate out of
control quickly. Bullies can be employers, managers or employees of any age,
size, shape and color. Their bullying tactics vary from person to person. Their
reasons for bullying vary, as well.
Bullying tactics may be
recognized by others and dealt with immediately, but that is not always the case, as
bullying takes on subtle forms. For example, an elderly female, called into her
manager’s office, is taken to task for her level of job performance. While
reprimanding her, her manager slowly breaks the arms and legs off a gingerbread
cookie decorated with pink icing. The employee is terrified and quits her job
immediately.
Open or overt bullying is more
evident, particularly when it involves violence.
How should one handle bullying
in a workplace?
Recognize what bullying in the
workplace is and try to learn why it is happening.
Not every employer or employee
understands the nature of bullying. Because of that, it goes unnoticed and
unreported. Recognize the reality that if bullying appears to be a successful
way of obtaining results for a manager or employer, it may escalate. Employers,
managers and employees can choose to ignore bullying, depending upon its
extent.
Reporting bullying can be used as a
reason for dismissal, even though it is the bully who should be dismissed. Some
employees may put up with bullying, even though they dread going to work
because of it. They simply do not want trouble at work, because it might cost
them their jobs.
Freedictionary.com suggests
that a bully is “a person who is habitually cruel
or overbearing, especially to smaller or weaker people”, or “a hired ruffian; a
thug”. Bullying may have gender related concerns or promiscuous sexual
implications, as well."
Recognize bullying tactics.
"Bullying tactics are
generally evident because a bully tends to “to treat”
others in “an overbearing or intimidating manner” usually “aggressively”.
Eliminating bullying entails
finding out who the bully, the leader of the bullies or other bullies in the
workplace are. There may be more than one bully targeting a worker or groups of
workers. It is not easy to find the bullies, as they tend to protect each
other, but there are ways to learn who bullies are, including the use of video
cameras in a workplace.
Documenting repeated acts of
bullying is important. Report all known or suspected bullies to upper
management, immediately.
Observe employee patterns of behavior and
interaction. Encourage bullied employees to avoid those who are intimidating
them. Bullied employees may be fearful of disclosing what is happening in the
workplace. They should be encouraged to communicate openly and freely with their employers and one
another. Some employees may be reluctant to get involved because they realize
that they too might become targets of a particular bully. Inter-active counseling and group sessions will
often disclose information about bullies.
Introduce and enforce
appropriate measures to prevent, intervene and counteract bullying.
Understand what bullies are
trying to accomplish. They often want to impress their employers and may seek
the jobs or positions of others and bully them in order to force them to quit.
At times, problems or grievances can be resolved, but not always. Arranging
communication measures for bullies or potential bullies, allows them the
opportunity to voice their concerns, so they do not need to intimidate or bully
others. Caution is always vital.
Provide appropriate,
disciplinary measures for offenders with a pattern of repeated bullying.
Reprimands, demotion and dismissal may be necessary.
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