Everyone has the right to work in a secure and enjoyable workplace. Indeed, work might be difficult at times, but you should never feel threatened, humiliated, or victimized at work. If you do, you may be engaging in bullying, which is unacceptable. If you’re not sure how to deal with bullies at work, there are steps you may take to put a stop to it.
What is workplace bullying?
Workplace bullying occurs when an employee is frequently treated poorly by another employee. It can range from violent threats to mocking or being left out. Bullying occurs when another person’s activities endanger your health or safety at work.
Managing Workplace Bullying
If you believe you are being bullied, there are certain things you can do.
It can be difficult to recall when and why you felt bullied. Nonetheless, those details are critical if you want to report bullying. Maintain a personal record to help you remember the details and to demonstrate that you’ve been mistreated more than once.
1. Maintain a confidential record
It can be difficult to recall when and why you felt bullied. Nonetheless, those details are critical if you want to report bullying. Maintain a personal record to help you remember the details and to demonstrate that you’ve been mistreated more than once.
Take note of the following:
- The date and time
- Who is treating you badly
- Exactly what they’re doing or saying
- Where it happens
- Who else was there – it’s helpful if you have a co-worker who can back you up
- How it makes you feel
2. Examine your workplace’s bullying policy
Check to see whether your workplace has a policy against bullying or harassment. When you first started, you may have been handed a copy of this. It will show you who to talk to, what procedures to follow, and what the penalties will be for the individual who is bullying you.
3. Request that the bullying ceases
It’s a big step to accuse a coworker of bullying behavior, so it’s natural to be worried about telling someone what’s going on. Remember that you must ensure that everyone feels safe and happy at work.
Try talking to the person who is bullying you and explaining how this is unfair or offensive. If you feel uncomfortable talking to this person, invite someone else to the meeting, such as a coworker you trust.
4. Present it to your management or human resources
If you are not comfortable speaking with the individual directly, you can discuss the next steps with your manager or supervisor.
If your manager is the one who is bullying you, or if you don’t feel comfortable talking to your manager directly, you can take your issues to someone higher up the chain of command, or to human resources (HR).
Please make use of your notes to clearly define what’s been going on and how it’s affecting you. Most of the time, HR will try to mediate the situation. Yet, the individual who is bullying you may receive a written warning or possibly be fired.
If talking to your boss or HR isn’t an option, or if this doesn’t stop the bullying, it may be time to escalate the situation.
5. Call in the big guns
You’ve tried everything, but the bullying persists? It’s probably time to notify someone outside of your workplace about the mistreatment.
- Submit an anti-bullying form to the Fair Work Commission to make things official. They can also provide you with information about their anti-bullying approach and assist you in completing the form if you require assistance.
- If you decide to file an anti-bullying complaint, the Fair Work Commission will investigate to determine what is going on. Depending on what they discover, they will handle the application by mediation, conference, or hearing.
- You can contact the police if you have been threatened, physically or sexually attacked.
- If you are a union member, you can request assistance from your union. They can provide you with valuable guidance on dealing with workplace bullies and may even be able to act on your behalf.
- You are legally protected if you are a whistleblower being bullied at work.
