How to Address Workplace Bullying Effectively

Dealing with workplace bullying is on the rise in multiple forms, including nonverbal, verbal, psychological, and physical abuse. Shockingly, the Workplace Bullying Institute reports that 19% of adults in the U.S. experience workplace bullying, affecting an astonishing 60.3 million workers.

A survey conducted by TopResume on workplace bullying found that only 4% of 1,229 respondents claimed to have never experienced workplace bullying. This alarming statistic means that a significant 96% of respondents have encountered bullying in their work environment.

It’s crucial to recognize that workplace bullying doesn’t exclusively stem from individuals in positions of power, such as managers or bosses. Surprisingly, the same survey found that 25% of respondents reported being bullied by their peers or co-workers.

Workplace Bullying in the Virtual Landscape

The modern work landscape has transformed, with a significant increase in remote work and a blend of in-office and remote workers. While some employees appreciate the flexibility of remote work, others may prefer the structure of an office environment. Regardless of the setting, workplace bullying persists, leading to increased stress and a diminished work experience.

The shift towards remote work poses challenges for employers in identifying and addressing workplace bullying, as bullies can thrive in the absence of face-to-face interactions. They often hide behind instant messenger chats and text messages. Remote workers, who sometimes struggle to disconnect from work after hours, find it challenging to escape bullying, depriving them of a fresh perspective on handling the situation. Additionally, the relaxed home-office environment can foster unprofessional behavior and offensive comments from co-workers.

Examples of remote (and in-office) bullying encompass:

• Messages containing sexist or discriminatory remarks.
• Posting embarrassing content on social media.
• Sending threatening messages or emails.
• Engaging in demeaning behavior, belittling colleagues, or talking over them during meetings or video calls.
• Excessively micromanaging subordinates.
• Spreading gossip or rumors about co-workers.
• Taking undeserved credit for someone else’s work.
• Withholding essential resources necessary for completing tasks.
• Publicly berating an employee in front of their colleagues.
• Gaslighting and causing employees to doubt themselves.

Workplace bullying can result in health issues, elevated stress levels, and reduced productivity, among other negative consequences. Consequently, taking appropriate steps to address and combat bullying at work is imperative, thereby safeguarding your overall well-being. Below are some recommended strategies for handling workplace bullying.

Effective Strategies to Address Workplace Bullying

1. Familiarize Yourself with Company Policies

If you are a victim of workplace bullying or are aware of someone experiencing it, acquaint yourself with your company’s policies. Most organizations maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards bullying and provide transparent reporting guidelines. If your organization lacks such a policy or needs to update it to accommodate remote work, consider discussing the implementation of a new policy with your manager or HR department to protect employees from abuse.

2. Take Time to Assess the Situation

If you believe you are a target of workplace bullying, pause to evaluate the situation objectively. From a composed and grounded perspective, you can determine the most suitable approach for dealing with the issue. It’s important to acknowledge that people make mistakes, so assess whether the bullying was an isolated incident or if it is likely to escalate into ongoing harassment and abuse.

3. Prioritize Your Well-being and Mental Health

Understandably, many individuals hesitate to report bullying due to concerns about others’ perceptions or potential retaliation, especially when the bully holds a position of authority. Nevertheless, bullying can significantly affect your mental and physical well-being. Take proactive steps to support yourself, such as seeking assistance from a mental health professional or counselor who can help you cope with the stress associated with bullying and devise strategies for addressing it.

4. Engage with Higher Management or HR

If you are uncomfortable confronting the bully directly, consider discussing the matter with your manager or human resources department. Choose the approach that best aligns with your particular circumstances. When voicing your concerns, highlight the adverse effects on productivity, well-being, and morale while maintaining a professional and composed demeanor.

5. Don’t Internalize the Bullying

While it can be challenging, try not to take workplace bullying personally. Remember that when someone bullies you, it often reflects more on them than you. Bullies frequently act out of insecurity, jealousy, or a desire for control. Targets of bullying are often high-performing individuals. Cultivate healthy emotional boundaries to prevent yourself from reacting emotionally or internalizing the bullying.

6. Address the Issue Directly and Maintain Professionalism

Consider addressing the issue directly with the bully while upholding professionalism and taking the high road. Augustine advises maintaining composure and responding rationally and professionally. Engage in conflict resolution without accusations, focusing on explaining how their actions make you feel.

Fran Hauser, author of “The Myth of the Nice Girl,” offers valuable phrases for addressing workplace bullies or individuals who misbehave:

• “Please don’t talk to me that way.”
• “Let’s work together to ensure this conversation becomes more productive.”
• “Let’s take a break and revisit this discussion later.”

7. Consider Leaving If Necessary

Ultimately, your well-being and mental health should take precedence. If you have exhausted all efforts to combat bullying but it persists, it may be time to explore alternative employment options. While it may seem like the bully has won, prioritizing your self-care and leaving a toxic environment positions you as the ultimate victor. Furthermore, it would help if you aimed to work for an organization that values its employees and takes decisive action against abusive behavior.

8. Maintain Detailed Records

Crucial for dealing with workplace bullying is meticulous documentation of all relevant interactions with the bully. Detailed records establish a timeline of events and facilitate the recollection of information when necessary. Augustine advises preserving email threads, capturing text message screenshots, and maintaining a log of bullying incidents, including dates, times, locations, and the names of any witnesses. If video conference meetings are recorded, retain the files as potential evidence of bullying. Additionally, when communicating with a bully, use email correspondence to create a written record of interactions.

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