7 Ways to Handle Workplace Bullying

How to handle workplace bullying - Bullying may affect anyone at any age, and overcoming it can be a difficult task. Anxiety, fear, and a sense of self-worthlessness are all common reactions to bullying.

 More than a third of those bullied develop social anxiety and depression due to their experiences with bullying.

Read also, 13 Mistakes to Avoid After Being Laid Off

Stress, anxiety, sadness, trauma, high blood pressure, gastrointestinal difficulties, and more can all result from bullying at work, which can impact both your mental and physical health.

What is workplace bullying?

Bullying is repeated, health-harming abuse of one or more individuals (targets) by perpetrators.

The target is intimidated, threatened, or humiliated by the abusive action, including verbal abuse. In many cases, the target's ability to get their work done is hindered by this method.

It goes much beyond a minor inconvenience or minor irritation. There is more of a psychological power imbalance between the bully and their target or targets, resulting in the sense of helplessness in those who are bullied.

Bullying, on the other hand, is not unlawful, unlike harassment. Is there a difference?

Bullying rests on being mistreated because of protected characteristics, such as gender, color, religion, or national origin.

Unrelated to one of them, the negative behavior may be corrosive and soul-crushing, but it is not illegal.

Do You Have a Bully in Your Office?

What do you think of your boss? Does a coworker interrupt you, criticize your work, or take credit for it when you're not looking? Is there a coworker who makes you nervous about being in the same room?

Regardless of the reason, do you find yourself being scolded, insulted, and otherwise humiliated regularly at work?

Here are seven ways to handle workplace bullying, introduced by Dr. Job.

1- Take Action to Resolve the Problem

Writing a journal is an excellent habit to get into. When you're writing down your thoughts, be explicit.

Include the date, the time, the place, the incident or words that were said, and any witnesses to the event in your submission. 

Include how you felt or were affected by the experience.

Your complaints and responses should also be kept in a file for future reference.

Any unethical behavior should be documented. Managers and other organizations will take action based on this information.

Make a record of everything.

If you find that your work is being sabotaged, make careful to keep a record of what you've done and what you're working on.

Keep your coworkers updated on your progress so that you can fight back against bullies who are trying to force you out of your job or prevent you from advancing.

Share your activities with coworkers and superiors via email, activity reports, and other means. Be modest in highlighting your achievements, but make sure others know your job.

2- Become familiar with the rules and regulations of your workplace.

Do some research on your company's rules if you're being bullied at work or if you know someone who is.

Be aware of your rights and how to report them if you're a victim or witness.

If your company doesn't have a policy or if the current policy needs to be updated to accommodate remote work arrangements, talk to your manager or HR department about implementing a new policy to safeguard employees from abuse.

3- Care for Yourself

Make sure you can tell when you're being bullied. To avoid taking responsibility for something that wasn't your fault.

Become aware of your ability to alter your reaction. You can't make someone who doesn't want to change, but you can control how you react to their refusal to change.

 Spend some time contemplating your options in light of the current scenario.

 Do you intend to file a police report? Yes, I'd like to make a transfer request. In the end, it's your decision as to how you want to deal with the circumstance.

Set clear limits for yourself. Learn how to be aggressive and confident. Make it clear to the bully how you intend to deal with their actions upfront.

You may, for example, inform the bully that if they keep threatening you with losing your job and sabotaging your work, you'll report them to HR.

4- Ask the bullies to stop 

As a result, it's expected that you'd be wary of informing anyone about the alleged bullying behavior of a coworker.

Keep in mind that your workplace should ensure that everyone feels safe and content while at work.

If someone is bullying you, try talking to them and letting them know how you feel about their behavior.

If you're worried about talking to this person, you might want to bring a friend or colleague you know and trust to the meeting.

5- Speak with your supervisor or human resources about it.

Talk to your boss or supervisor if you're uncomfortable approaching the individual directly.

As a last resort, you can talk to a higher-up or HR if your manager is bullying you or not comfortable speaking with your manager (HR).

Use your notes to help you recall what has occurred and how it has affected you.

Human resources will often attempt to mediate disputes when one arises in the workplace. A written warning or even termination could be given to the person bullying you.

You may choose to register a complaint if talking to your manager or HR is no longer an option.

6- Avoid blaming yourself for what happened.

Do your best not to take bullying personally, even if it is easier said than done. Sometimes, bullying comes from insecurity, jealousy, or a wish to control.

That is not your fault; it's their fault that you are being bullied.

Bullies frequently pick on people who are already doing well in their careers. To avoid being reactive or feeling horrible about yourself due to workplace bullying, learn to set appropriate emotional boundaries.

7- Let go if it's not worth your time.

You are of little use to anyone if you don't have a healthy body and mind. Leaving the firm may be an option if the bullying persists despite your efforts to stop it.

If this is the path you pick, it may feel like the bully has won, but if you take care of yourself and leave a toxic environment, you're the victorious one.