BULLYING ISSUE BROUGHT TO LIGHT
Workplace bullying is an issue that has cropped up in the news recently (well in New Zealand anyway). It is an issue that has probably been around for centuries but has only been given a name within the previous 20 or so years. Workplace bullying takes many forms, it may be harassment, sexual or non-sexual, personal comments that make the recipient feel humiliated, verbal abuse, social exclusion, name calling, and constant criticism that is unjustified.
There is no doubt that some people are hard to work with and refuse to be civil to you no matter how civil you are to them. The best way to deal with that is to put your head down and concentrate on your work.
People who push others around or are rude to others basically have a low opinion of themselves and what they see in others is often a reflection of how they feel about themselves. Bullying others is their way of boosting their own self-esteem. By constantly putting others down makes them feel better about themselves but problem is, it is like a drug and they have to keep doing it in order for it to work.
There are certain times when the bullying will attack others but it is when they have an audience when they are most lethal. At other times when the victim is alone with the bully, they will be attacked when there are no witnesses but this is increasingly difficult when there are no witnesses.
Some bullying starts with light-hearted banter between work colleagues which gets out of hand or even gets personal; that is when it crosses the line.
The responsibility for what occurs at the workplace rests on the shoulders of the employer; it is they that have to set the standard of acceptable behaviour in the workplace. They have a duty to set boundaries and say this is what is expected of you. Many employers will write this into your employment contract.
The process of dealing with a complaint can be quite drawn out but in New Zealand, the victim if they have a complaint against a colleague needs to complain to their supervisor and they must take steps to ensure that the bullying ceases. If they do not take reasonable steps to solve the problem then the victim can lay a complaint with the Department of Labour.
I have an ebook called “The Bully Buster” and it is available for just $5 It is basically for parents and children and explains how to deal with bullying at school.