Infographic: How to Deal With a Workplace Bully

Jun 26, 2020 4 Min Read
bully, workplace bully, emotional stress

Bullying in the workplace is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with effectively. It can have a significant impact on a victim’s health and wellbeing, and company working culture. Toxic behaviour at work can manifest itself in various ways, from gossip and social exclusion, to sabotage, intimidation, and violence, as well as unreasonable deadlines and institutional demands.

Fortunately, there is some clear practical advice on how victims, witnesses, and managers can deal with bully-behaviour.

Victims:

An important thing to remember if you are bullied, is not to suffer in silence. The additional stress caused by enduring bullying over extended periods of time can wear down your confidence and resilience, and make you more vulnerable to victimisation in future.

In many cases, a bully is more likely to back down when they are called out on their behaviour early on. It helps to talk about your situation through with someone you trust – a friend or therapist, perhaps – and make sure that your boss, or HR manager, is aware of things. Keep a record of dates, times, and details of any incidences of bullying, and hold onto emails or paperwork that could provide evidence should you need to take matters further, which might include seeking legal advice.

Witnesses:

If you become aware that someone is being bullied, help shift the power dynamic by intervening and calling out unacceptable behaviour. Be an ally to the victim. Report upwards, as necessary, and be prepared to explain what you have seen. Take action to establish and maintain a positive, supportive working culture, where people feel safe, and bullying cannot thrive.

Managers:

As a Manager, you have a responsibility to nip bullying or toxic behaviour in the bud before it escalates further. Start by meeting with the person who has been accused of bullying. This meeting should be well documented, with an HR representative present.

Make sure that you have a clear and up to date bullying and harassment policy, and provide guidance to employees about the expectations, and consequences of non-compliance with, this policy. Take action to encourage a healthy and positive work culture. Employees need to feel safe and comfortable to go about their work without fear of harassment. Any stress factors that result from, or give rise to, bullying, need to be addressed.

The career and resume experts at Resume.io have gathered information about bullying in the workplace to put together an accessible guide for how to address bullying issues effectively.
Take a look at this infographic guide to find out more.


Read: 9 Ways To Stop A Workplace Bully


You might be interested in: Ignoring Bad Behaviour At Work Will Cost You



Read also: How Bullying Shouldn’t Take Control Of Your Life

Reposted with permission on Leaderonomics.com.

Share This

Alt
Lorraine Kipling is a freelance writer and editor from Manchester, UK. She writes for NeoMam Studios.
Alt

You May Also Like

artificial intelligence

ChatGPT and the Future of Business Education

By Phanish Puranam , Pushan Dutt , Phebo Wibbens , Anton S. Ovchinnikov , Victoria Sevcenko , Theodoros Evgeniou and Philip M. Parker. The rave over ChatGPT is all over the internet. Will we soon lose our jobs? Read insights of its capabilities and limitations here.

Mar 02, 2023 8 Min Read

Alt

Beyond the Stars: Unveiling Space Opportunities with Danny Kim

Join us for an exhilarating 30-minute journey with Danny Kim, the visionary founder of Full Armor and Quest for Excellence, as we delve into the boundless possibilities of space education and exploration. This isn't just a conversation about distant galaxies and astronauts; it's about bringing the vastness of space closer to home and understanding how it's increasingly relevant to us all. In this live session on YouTube and LinkedIn, we'll explore the rapidly evolving landscape of space exploration and how it's no longer a realm reserved for a select few. Danny Kim, a trailblazer in space education, will share his unique insights and experiences, shedding light on how space is becoming an integral part of our future – in ways we can scarcely imagine. We'll discuss the changing nature of our world and the role space plays in it, from technological advancements to educational opportunities. This session is designed to ignite your curiosity and open your eyes to the myriad opportunities that space exploration presents, whether you're a student, professional, or simply a space enthusiast. As we navigate this cosmic conversation, we'll also introduce an exciting opportunity – a space camp led by Danny Kim himself, set to take place on Jan 20-21, 2024. This camp is not just an event; it's a launchpad for the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and dreamers. Tune in for a session that promises to be enlightening, inspiring, and full of new perspectives. Whether you're looking to learn about the latest in space exploration or seeking inspiration from one of the pioneers in the field, this is a must-watch event. Get ready to look at the stars and see a universe of possibilities!

Nov 21, 2023 33 Min Video

Be a Leader's Digest Reader