Dealing with Workplace Bullies

If you thought that you left playground bullies behind back in grade school, you are mistaken. Although an office environment has replaced the playground, workplace bullies are still around and reeking havoc on unassuming co-workers everyday. On a playground, bullies would push you to the ground or play “keep away” with your favorite ball. Bullies in the workplace however, stoop to name calling, threatening, rumor mills and other viciousness. Luckily, you are not alone and there is plenty you can do about it to stop the bullying cycle and emerge from it stronger and more confident than ever.

Understand that bullies in the workplace want you to fail at your job. They thrive when you fail at something. The best thing you can do is to rise above the situation and do the best job possible. Receiving recognition from a superior in front of the bully can be extremely gratifying! You can also try confronting the bully face to face will let them know that you will not be intimidated by them. Calmly, but firmly ask them why they have such an issue with you. Perhaps it is from an incident that is a total misunderstanding and this will be a way to easily work through it and move on. 

If after you have confronted the bully the situation has not changed, it is time to take more action, getting your superior/s involved. Make sure your meeting is behind closed doors, away from employees who are prone to eavesdrop on conversations. Bring specific, written examples of the times when you have been bullied by your co-worker/s. Explain that you have tried talking to them about the situation to try and resolve it on your own, but it proved to be fruitless. At this point, you have passed the responsibility over to your superior to deal with the situation. If the incidences are severe enough (proven threatening of physical harm), it should warrant immediate termination. However, most companies will “write up” the employee giving them a warning for their behavior with a three strikes you’re out rule. This may mean the harassment will stop for you, or it could get worse because you “tattled” on the workplace bullies. But, stand firm in your convictions knowing that you did what you could to help the situation on your own before you got your superiors involved.