workplace bullying - what can be done€¦ · workplace bullying - what can be done consideration...

WORKPLACE BULLYING - WHAT CAN BE DONE

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Table of Contents

The Problem with Workplace Bullying ............................................................................................................. 4

► Examples of Verbal Workplace Bullying ......................................................................................................... 5

► Consideration for the Victim .......................................................................................................................... 6

► Workplace Bullying Costs to Your Organization ............................................................................................ 7

► Impact on the Victim ...................................................................................................................................... 8

► Impact on the Witness ................................................................................................................................... 9

Workplace Civility - What Can Done? ............................................................................................................ 10

► Daily Interactions ......................................................................................................................................... 11

► Difficult Workplace Conversations ............................................................................................................... 12

► Document the Bullying Behavior ................................................................................................................. 13

► Group Meetings ........................................................................................................................................... 14


The Problem with Workplace Bullying


► Examples of Verbal Workplace Bullying

Aggressive communication

Telling jokes that are ‘obviously offensive’ either verbally, via social media

or email

Yelling or speaking with profanity.

Criticizing a colleague, customer, or vendor persistently or constantly.

Belittling comments; belittling a person’s actions or opinions.

Dissemination of offensive rumors, gossip, or untrue insinuation

Finger pointing, yelling, offensive comments

Social isolation / social exclusion within the workplace

Experience verbal and written insults

Victim of malicious rumor

Disparaging tone of voice

Feelings of being unheard even in the presence of others

Your comments or feedback seemingly ignored even while speaking

aloud

Constantly overtalking coworkers


► Consideration for the Victim

As the victim, you should …

Avoid feeling guilty for not confronting your bully

Not expect things to get better without intervention

Not assume that you must sacrifice your health, and sanity to get along

with bullying co-workers to survive the workplace.

Not assume the bullying to stop eventually

Definitely not imitate the behavior of the bully

Not assume you will received quick assistance from the traditional

resources within the company


► Workplace Bullying Costs to Your Organization

There are significant bottom-line costs to the organization, including:

Decreased number of customers

Impact to company reputation

Quality of work product produced

Increased litigation expenses

Lost productivity

Increased stress-related illnesses

Increases in employee absences

Increased overall organizational healthcare expenses for the employer

Lost headcount

Increased expense of recruiting, hiring and training


► Impact on the Victim

Victims Are Frequently Ethical, Independent, and Competent Colleagues

Victims frequently report:

Being targeted by bully

Are perceived as a threat by the bully

Loss of Concentration

Bullying Normally Begins in Small Little Ways and Increases Over Time

Anxiety

Loss of Sleep

Frequent Headaches

Increased Sick Calls

Lost Productivity

Being apprehensive with coming forward to reporting bullying due to:

o Fears that they will not be taken seriously

o Fears they will not be believed when they report an occurrence.

o Fear of being labeled as a complainer, a “troublemaker”, or “not a

team player”

o Fear of retribution

Silently Encouraged to Leave the Organization


► Impact on the Witness

Witnesses Are Often Affected as Well

Often recruited by the bully to assist them abuse and sabotage the victim.

Supporting the perpetrator may seem a short-term solution in a workplace

culture where bullying is the norm

Witness fears the bully will target them as well.

Uncomfortable observing this behavior.

Witnesses Can

Begin an incident log - you will be able to communicate your concerns to

a person that could make the workplace change – should you choose to do

so.


Workplace Civility - What Can Be Done?

BE DONE?


► Daily Interactions

Practice Courteous Behavior

Be present in your face-to-face conversations, meetings, and interactions.

Put down the phone or mobile device. Change your settings to vibrate or

better yet – turn it off. Especially during a working meeting or working

lunch.

Look the speaker in the eye – directly – continuously verbal

communication is being exchanged.

State a heartfelt “thank you” or send a short, thank you via email to a

team member.

Gain a reputation for being that “exceptional” and courteous person that

everyone respects.

Be the workplace example, thus setting the bar higher for the behavior of

others.


► Difficult Workplace Conversations

Prepare for Difficult Workplace Conversations

Consider changing the location of the conversation. Should it be a public

place with nearby witnesses? Virtually or by phone?

Have a preplanned agenda for the conversation

Identify the goal of the conversation – what do you want to accomplish?

Plan the length of the conversation.

Visualize and practice how you want to communicate (tone, method, etc.)

Body Language – Be self-aware of your historic body language under

stressful situations

Practice what you want to say

For bullying that occurs in a team meeting setting – partner with a buddy.

Agree to support each other’s ideas verbally during the meeting.

Begin speaking with a calm point of view.

After the difficult conversation, summarize the key points discussed, and

the outstanding action items. Identify who is responsible for each action

item. If you are uncomfortable verbalizing the summary – be sure to follow-

up with an email summary.


► Document the Bullying Behavior

Document each occurrence, with important details, dates, including any

witnesses.

Keep both a written and electronic version in a safe, confidential

location

You should not share your documented proof – be very cautious.

Review the workplace policy and procedures for workplace bullying in

your organization.

Should you decide to escalate the behavior and the documentation log

- have a pre-planned plan to escape for yourself, just in case.


► Group Meetings

Practice strategic seating. Sit near a potential ally.

Invite a sponsor / mentor. This may diminish the opportunity for bullying.

An ally or mentor in attendance will provide another witness to the bullying

behavior.

Invite an authority figure whom many people respect to the group meeting.

The authority figure present may alter or set for the tone and behavior

expectations for all the meeting attendees

Michel Hobson, Author:

Fierce and Focused [Amazon]

Influential and Motivated [Amazon]

“Unavoidable: Actionable Tips to Handle Workplace

Civility” (Coming Spring 2017)

To receive a weekly dose of workplace civility tips, articles, and

curated resources to help you navigate the persistent bullying

in today’s workplace, sign up for the Workplace Respect and

Civility newsletter today at http://HobsonTraining.com

http://hobsontraining.com/


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