Workplace bullying can be defined as repeated unreasonable actions of an individual directed towards an employee, intended to cause health risks, intimidate, degrade, humiliate, or undermine.
It is estimated that workplace bullying costs over $180 million per year in lost time and productivity. Other effects can be litigation and increases in turnover, absenteeism, and higher workplace dissatisfaction.
You may be accidentally condoning the bullying by not taking proper steps to prevent it from happening, damaging your company culture, and leading to more employees being dissatisfied with their job. This blog post will highlight a bully’s motivation, identify if you are being bullied, and advise victims who suffer from bullying.
Behavior and Motivation of a Bully
Bullying comes in many forms, such as:
- Verbal Abuse
- Spreading Gossip and Lies
- Threatening Behavior
- Humiliation
- Work Inferences and Sabotage
- Persistent Criticisms of an Employee’s Work
- Insulting Workers’ Habits, Attitudes or Personal Lives
- Reminding Employees of Mistakes
Behaviors like this tend to be directed towards people eager to please, are non-confrontational, and are threaten by an authority. There is a misconception that victims of bullying are vulnerable, weak, or thin-skinned. This is not usually the case because many times, the people targeted are tough competitors, go-getters, high performers, and well-liked people. Bullying has a hidden motivation, and that is control.
12 Signs You are Being Bullied
- Your work is never good enough for the boss.
- Your boss makes you feel humiliated.
- You always feel anxious and agitated at work and dread the start of a new workweek.
- Your co-workers stop socializing with you.
- Someone is continually interfering with tasks you are trying to complete.
- You are yelled at in front of others but punished for crying back.
- Human resources and other bosses say there is “nothing they can do” about the bully’s behavior.
- Your requests to transfer positions or office locations are denied.
- You always feel stressed about work, even when you’re at home.
- You feel exhausted on your days off and are uninterested in activities you once enjoyed.
- Your family suggests you “leave work at the office,” and your doctor asks about what could be causing your new health problems.
- You start to think you somehow caused the bullying.
Advice for Victims
The first step is to acknowledge what is going on. Next, you need to identify what type of abuse that is taking place. You should then research your options and review company policies to determine what sort of action to take. The final step is to present your factual case to the highest level of person possible. When submitting your case, stick to the facts and try not to let your emotion get involved.
How SACS Consulting & Investigative Services, Inc. Can Help End Workplace Bullying
Bullying can be reduced by the training and awareness programs we offer and implementing strict anti-bullying policies. This will create an environment that makes victims feel that they can come forward when they feel like they are being bullied. These steps will help to create a less stressful work atmosphere that will lead to an increase in productivity and job satisfaction.
Give us a call today to learn more about the ways we can help at 330-255-1101.