How do I recognize bullying in the workplace? And how do I deal with it?

Think bullying in the workplace is not very common? Think again.

Bullying heavily features in workplaces everywhere around the globe.

Picture this: Sarah, a dedicated employee, walks into the office on a Monday morning, feeling motivated for the week ahead.

However, as the day progresses, she repeatedly faces derogatory comments from her boss and cold shoulders from her colleagues. This isn’t a one-off occurrence but rather a distressing routine.

Like Sarah, many endure a toxic work atmosphere due to bullying of varying types.

When your boss is a bully, it can make work feel really bad. This bullying can happen in different ways.

Verbal Abuse: Your boss often makes fun of or embarrasses you in front of others. They use mean and hurtful words.

Excessive Criticism: Your boss is always finding small mistakes in your work, expects too much, and only talks about what you do wrong, not what you do right.

Isolation and Exclusion: Your boss leaves you out of important meetings or projects, making you feel alone and not important.

Bullying from colleagues can create a hostile work environment. Look out for these signs:

Persistent criticism: Colleagues constantly criticize your ideas or work, often without constructive feedback, solely to undermine your confidence.

Spreading rumors: Colleagues engage in gossip, spreading false information about you, which can damage your reputation and relationships within the workplace.

Social Exclusion: Colleagues deliberately exclude you from social activities, group discussions, or team bonding, making you feel isolated and unwelcome.

1. Make work a respectful place: Treat everyone fairly and value different ideas. Work well in teams and listen to each other.

2. Know the rules: Learn about what counts as bullying at work. It's important to understand what's not okay.

3. Learn and share: Join workshops about handling tough situations and respecting others at work. Share what you learn with your team.

4. Speak up safely: If you see bullying, report it without fear. There are private ways to do this, like going to the human resources (HR) team.

5. Lead the way: If you're in charge, set a good example. Stop bullying if you see it.

6. Keep talking: Always be ready to talk and listen, whether with coworkers or bosses.

7. Fair investigations: If someone reports bullying, investigations should be conducted fairly, privately, and promptly.

8. Solve problems together: If there's a conflict, try to work it out together. Ask for help if you need it.

9. Balance work and life: Your job shouldn't take over your life. There should be flexible hours and support for your well-being.

Remember, a good workplace is where everyone feels safe and respected. If you're facing bullying, reach out for help.

Taking action against bullying is crucial to foster a healthy, respectful, and productive work environment. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Educate: Inform all team members about what bullying entails and its negative impacts.

2. Intervene: If you witness bullying, act by either confronting the bully or reporting the incident to a supervisor.

3. Document: Keep detailed records of bullying incidents, noting dates, times, and involved parties.

4. Seek professional advice: Seek guidance from HR or workplace conflict experts for legal and professional handling of the situation.

5. Create support networks: Join or create groups for sharing experiences and coping strategies, fostering community support.

To effectively address bullying in the workplace, you should: