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Do any of these statements resonate with you?
- My paid time off at work is used for "mental health breaks."
- I feel nauseous before I go into work.
- My boss calls me in for meetings that consist of humiliation, yelling, and harsh criticisms.
- My coworkers have been told to stop working, talking, or socializing with me.
- My favorite activities are no longer enjoyable or appealing.
- I feel too ashamed of being controlled by another person at work to tell my friends, family, and/or partner.
- I always attempt impossible tasks without training or the time to learn a new skill, but my work is never good enough for my boss.
 First off, you did NOT cause the bullying to happen. And second, you are NOT alone. It is reported that 35% of the US workforce attest to having been bullied at some point in their careers, at an estimation of 53.5 of the US population. Unfortunately, bullying is not yet illegal and there are technically no immediate legal channels you can take, but there are some actions you can take that lead you to a safer haven within your company.
Bullying Peers
Remember those cliques in high school that everyone hated? High school kids grow up into adults who unfortunately may continue to follow learned social behaviors. We hear of groups or "cliques" of coworkers that do the bullying regularly in the work place. Individuals who are empowered through gang mentality (power in numbers), may inadvertently debase and humiliate colleagues; thereby creating a hostile work environment. Human resources departments are, or should be, intolerant of such behavior and will advocate on your behalf to stave off further bad behavior. No company wants to develop a bad rap. Report this unacceptable behavior to your HR Officer immediately in order to keep records. Once a precedent is reported, the likelihood of repeated offences should diminish. If the behavior does not improve despite your communication to HR, it's time to look elsewhere. This is not a company you want to invest in for the long haul.
Bullying Bosses
This is the most common type of workplace bullying. If your HR department runs performance reviews, you may be able to reference your positive feedback from other coworkers and management. If your boss was the only one who was unhappy with your work, you could use this to demonstrate your capabilities and possibly transfer to a different department. In transferring to another department, you need to cast the change as a positive shift for both you and the company. When all else fails, look elsewhere!
Bullying Executives
Chief Executive Bully? There's no doubt about this one, if it's unbearable, you have got to get out of there. The fact of the matter is no matter who you talk to, whether it's the HR department or your boss, reaching out can be risky. There is little chance they will be able to do anything to improve your situation, except to be a person to vent to. Once you start interviewing elsewhere, be sure to emphasize your achievements rather than harping on the negative aspects of your work experiences.
If You So Choose… Three-Step Method
(To read the full article, click the link above.)
Name it!
Just because the problem is not illegal, doesn't make it right. Bullying, psychological abuse, emotional harm, whatever the name may be-you need to legitimize yourself! You did not bring this on. The source of the problem comes from the bully, not you. There is tremendous healing power in naming.
Take time off to heal and launch a counterattack.
Check your mental health and check your physical health. Research your legal options and start a job search.
Expose the bully.
You have a 64% chance of losing your job anyway, so an attempt to expose the bully is not much riskier. Stick to the bottom line and give the employer one chance to fix the issue. Explain the nature of your departure. You were once doing a job you loved, when it was rudely interrupted by an insolent dictator.
Just remember, it's not you, it's not healthy, and it's not fair. You are NOT the cause of the bullying and you CAN find a company that appreciates the hard work you do. Let us help you find your dream company!
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