Workplace Bullying

An ideal workplace can turn into a distressful job for many because of bullying. Workplace bullying is very common and faced by many. Yet, many couldn’t do anything about it. First of all, there are many forms of bullying. It can be psychological, verbal or physical. In the workplace, it can be done by someone who is a senior, or a colleague, and the psychological implications are dire.

Threats

There are many forms of bullying, and it can come in as a personal attack which doesn’t have to do anything with the job or the environment. It includes spreading of rumors or gossips about an employee or a co-worker. When you have a face to face confrontation with them they resort to name calling, abusing, mocking or ridiculing.

It also can take the role of physical, when there is an unwanted gesture or contact intended to threaten a person. It can range from an unwanted touch to placing offensive photos or sharing offensive photos. People may also resort to physical contact like pushing or touching intentionally to threaten the other.

Bullying vs Harassment

There is a fine line between bullying and harassment. Above mentioned situations are examples of harassment. Bullying is the starting of a harassing behavior. Under no circumstance, one should tolerate harassment or even bullying. The level of bullying turns into harassment when an employee or co-worker could see that the other’s behavior is hostile.

Below are some examples when bullying turns into harassment:

• When someone denies an employee or co-worker access to resources, including opportunities.
• When the person doesn’t provide any feedback for any work and yet scolds you.
• Expecting a 100% result while withholding crucial information for the work.
• Not allowing the person to go to an important meeting either by obstruction or failure to invite.
• Always making threats of firing.
• Always trying to monitor you, and trying to manipulate you.
• Giving tasks, which are impossible to complete with unrealistic deadlines.
• Always trying to sabotage your work.
• Finding faults at every little thing or criticising with baseless information
• Trying to humiliate you by public reprimanding or using abusive language.
• Trying to ask for sexual favors or stopping your promotion because of the same.

All of the above should be done repetitively and continuously by a co-worker or senior for it to become harassment. Else it is known as bullying. Sadly, there is no law against bullying, but that shouldn’t mean you stand for it.

How to deal with bullying?

If a co-worker is constantly bullying you or harassing you, then you can approach your supervisor. It can possibly lead to a worsened situation if the instigator reprimanded by the supervisor, but none the less it should be reported. You can approach the HR department or someone above your supervisor if your supervisor is the bully. It is important to keep everything documented so that you have enough proof of the actions.

If the supervisor is the boss of the company, or else you are not satisfied with the results then you can approach a lawyer and file an official complaint. To register a lawsuit, you will have six months to act on the action after the issues haven’t been resolved at a personal level.