Workplace bullying is an insidious form of harassment. Mostly psychological in nature, workplace bullying or harassment is not easily spotted by absent or unthinking management who, if they witnessed or were told about a physical assault, would likely intervene in favor of the victim. Targets of bullying most often suffer in silence or leave their jobs when management fails to act. And when management fails, companies lose money.
Studies say that 37% of workers have experienced bullying on the job and that the cost to employers, in terms of lost productivity, high employee turnover, benefits payments, absenteeism and even litigation is upwards of 150 million dollars per year. Some costs, though, are more difficult to calculate - the loss of the most talented, creative and hard-working people from a company could ultimately be the most devastating effect of a toxic corporate culture.
Harassment at work has been addressed in the UK, Australia and in two privinces in Canada. Several US states are also considering protective legislation against workplace bullying and many companies have chosen to introduce their own policies to address the problem. In places were legislation or policy is absent, however, targeted workers are left with no option but to quit in order to maintain their physical and mental health
What are the signs that you are being bullied at work? Here's a quick checklist:
You have lost any confidence that you know what you are doing in your job.
Bullying supervisors will change rules on a whim, belittle your efforts, and withhold information that you need to do your work properly.
You feel sick or panicked at the thought of returning to the office.
The relief you feel at the end of everyworkday quickly dissolves as the night nears its end and the start of the next workday approaches. You start to feel despondent, helpless and insecure the closer it gets to bedtime.
You feel you have no one to go to about your concerns.
The bully is often a favorite of management and seen as a tough, but effective member of the staff.
You feel an impending sense of doom.
At the start of every day or re-entering the environment after a lunch break, you feel that something probably happened in your absence.
Your spouse, partner or friends start telling you to just quit or “get over it, already!”
The bully isn't just driving you crazy, she/he is driving everyone around you crazy as well.
You start to blame yourself for the situation.
In an effort to understand control your workplace situation, you begin to look for flaws in yourself, rather than in the bully.
What type of person does the bully target? Targets are usually:
- Dedicated workers
- Well-liked by peers and management
- Intelligent people who take initiative
- Competent and capable
- Knowledgeable about their field
- Viewed as a threat by the bully
More women than men are the targets, but the bullies themselves are just as likely to be of either gender. Female bullies usually target other women.
For targets of the bully, trying to creatively and competently attend to business in such toxic workplaces is like trying to thread a needle on a rollercoaster. Worse, targets most often bring their job trouble back home with them, replaying incidents in their minds, dreading the return to the office, and suffering from symptoms of anxiety. Insomnia is common, and so is high blood pressure, nausea and depression. Spouses, family members and other friends can attest to their loved one having changed - they obsess about work and they seem to have lost interest in the things that used to bring them pleasure.
What can you do if you're being harassed or bullied at work?
For those not protected by legislation or clear company policy the answer is disheartening. You should document occurrences of their behavior and include dates and times when the incidents took place. Make copies of any offensive notes or emails and keep them at home, approach Human Resources, if your company has such a department, or try to stand up for yourself in a firm but inoffensive manner. Consider saying, publicly “I don't like how you are treating me. It is a problem because.. “ and then outline your top concerns, appealing to business interests rather than emotions.
Most of the time targets end up quitting their jobs or even being fired, usually for their “negative attitude.” Lawsuits are possible, but costly, and most people who are unemployed are more concerned with getting another job than engaging in lengthy litigation. Most former targets, however, benefit from some action that brings them a sense of closure. Writing a letter to management, reaching out to others who have been victimized - even simply having the courage to name the problem to friends and family - offers some relief. Your ultimate goal should be to survive the experience with your self-confidence, emotional health, vision for the future and integrity intact.
Getting even with a former bully is tempting, but not practical. Ultimately, success is the best revenge. Move onward and upward with the knowledge that the problem was the bully's, not your own.
