Take Out the Office Bully

Bullying is a very serious issue many people struggle with on a daily basis. The recent release and popularity of the movie “Bully” which illustrates the intimidation and torment of bullied students has opened a dialogue on the subject across the country.

This sort of behavior doesn’t stop in high school however. Workplace bullies are just as detrimental to adults as schoolyard bullies are to children and teens. Offices plagued with these personality types experience less productivity and higher rates of illness and staff turnover.

At least 46% of American workers have personally dealt with an aggressive coworker in the past year. Even employees who are not directly in the bully’s line of fire can be affected by the constant tormenting of a colleague. Office moral slips, anxiety increases, and team mentality deteriorates in these situations.

Several factors can contribute to bully behavior. Some people are naturally aggressive and have not learned how to filter this in their relationships. Others are trying to exert control. Often office bullies feel that they are playing the game to get the promotion. They feel the best way to climb up the corporate ladder is to put everyone else down.

Whatever the reasons, bullying behavior is unacceptable at work or school and no one has to deal with it alone. Human resource departments are taking these complaints seriously as bullying is a chronic behavior and can have severe adverse effects on individuals and the company alike.

Spreading vicious rumors is an easily identifiable act of bullying others include:

•         Yelling at a coworker in public
•         Withholding information that affects work performance
•         Assigning an unreasonable work load or impossible deadlines
•         Delegating tasks well beyond or below competence level
•         Excessive micromanaging
•         Humiliating or ridiculing an employee or their work
•         Repeatedly ignoring ideas, suggestions or requests for time off
•         Refusing to make eye contact when others are speaking
•         Making insulting comments that are intentionally offensive

Being bullied may not seem like a big deal at first but if the action continues over time it can turn cancerous like getting sunburn repeatedly. Physical and psychological problems resulting from reoccurring abuse can leave permanent scars.

Office bullying should be documented and reported to human resources. The best way to be heard is to stay calm and keep your complaint rational and relative to the work place.  Cite specific examples of inappropriate behavior like threats, insults or name calling. If no action is taken consider consulting a lawyer of finding a new job.