Dealing with a Workplace Bully

You would think that dealing with a bully would be a thing of the past – something that you dealt within your youth. Surely adults in a professional environment would not behave in such a manner! Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Workplace bullies can be co-workers as well as superiors. It can be extremely stressful to have to deal with someone who uses intimidation to demean you or lower your feelings of self-worth. Oftentimes, workplace bullies (similar to the children of your youth) use these tactics to make themselves feel better regarding their own inadequacies. Here are some tips for managing the situation:

Take the high road: Make sure that you are not in any physical danger before approaching the bully for a discussion. This should not be confrontational; speak to the bully in a professional manner to address your grievances. Stand your ground; don’t lose control or show aggression or weakness by crying. Bullies look for a crack in the armor. Simply state that you will not tolerate being treated in a poor manner. Going forward, avoid contact with the bully. You are there to do a job. You know your worth; don’t let someone reduce your value.

Speak to human resources: One of HR’s functions is to handle employee relations matters; and this certainly falls into that category. Explain the situation in a calm and relaxed manner. Bringing this to the attention of the right people will allow the right people within the organization to pay attention to what is going on. Continue to focus your efforts on performing your role, demonstrating your value. A bully will try to undermine your efforts. Keep notes and make sure that your performance continues to demonstrate your value.

Keep a diary: It can be a daunting task to remember everything that happens during the day. Especially where bullying is concerned, you will no doubt have that on your mind in addition to the ongoing work that you are completing. It is a good idea to keep a diary of things going on so that you can recall situations and scenarios if you are asked to provide details. Keeping a diary about things work related is a good practice anyway.

Tell a friend or mentor: It is good to get things off your chest and obtain a different perspective. Speak to a friend or mentor who can provide you with a different opinion and ideas for handling a workplace bully. You do not need to keep it to yourself; and certainly talking about the situation will help alleviate the burden of carrying around the weight of the issue on your shoulders. Discussing what goes on in the office with an objective party can provide very valuable insights.

Bullying, threats, harassment, and intimidation should not be tolerated in the workplace. Don’t allow yourself to be a victim. Stand up for your rights, maintain a high level of professionalism, and take a proactive approach to ensure that you can handle yourself appropriately. Consider taking an assertiveness training course to provide you with the skills to deftly manage the situation.

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