Unfortunately, bullying is not just a phenomenon that happens at school. It is experienced by many people in the workplace. If you feel that you are repeatedly being treated unfairly by a colleague or colleagues, or even your boss, then you are probably the victim of bullying at work. It is important to know what you can do to take action if you find yourself in this situation.
Recognising Bullying
There are many different types of bullying and there is certainly no generic list that explains them all. However, if you feel that you are being criticised unfairly, given work that you are overqualified for, shouted at and humiliated, passed over for promotion, given unreasonable amounts of work or made fun of and becoming the butt of many workplace jokes, then you are more than likely a victim of bullying.
Being bullied at work can be the cause of a great deal of stress that could lead to illness. You could suffer anxiety, high blood pressure, emotional problems and self-esteem issues. You should not have to suffer these problems so you need to consider how to take action so that the bullying stops.
How to Combat Bullying
Many people find that confronting the person responsible for the bullying sometimes helps the situation. If you try to speak to them and discuss the matter in a reasonable way, then you may get to the bottom of the problem. However, this is not always the best approach, especially if the bullying is quite severe.
It may be worth speaking to another trusted colleague to see if they are aware of the situation and if they have any advice on how to tackle it. You may even find out that you are not the only person who is being bullied and you may be able to take collective action with other victims. If you feel you are not alone, then you may feel stronger about trying to deal with the situation.
You should also speak to your manager or employer. If your manager is the one who is bullying you, then you should speak to their manager or supervisor. It is important that you try to document what is happening to you and build up evidence of what you are experiencing. You could consider keeping a diary of the bullying as you may need a detailed account of what has happened if your situation is not resolved and you need to take it to an employment lawyer. Everything that happens that is related to the bullying may be crucial as evidence.
If the bullying continues after you have spoken to your manager or employer, you then need to decide whether to make a formal complaint. If you feel you need to take things further and need representation, then this is where experienced employment lawyers can be of assistance so you can begin the process of making your workplace bearable again.
For legal advice about resolving bullying issues in the workplace, you should consider consulting an employment lawyer to discuss your situation.
