How to Cope With a Bully at Work?
A bully in the workplace can make it difficult for you to do your job and even unpleasant to go to work. Most companies have written policies about employee behavior that takes employee bullying into account. Some companies have a no-tolerance policy that can result in the immediate loss of a job for such behavior. If you're being bullied at work by another employee, taking immediate action can put an end to the added stress a bully employee can bring to the job.
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Instructions
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Asses the situation and use your judgment before you confront a bully yourself. If you decide you feel safe speaking with the bully, approach the employee in a friendly manner and express your concerns to this person. It's possible he doesn't realize he's being a bully and a simple conversation might be all it takes to alleviate the situation. Begin by telling the bully employee you are coming to him in an effort to avoid disciplinary measures from the supervisor. This may alleviate the bullying upfront. If you feel there is any chance the confrontation will no go well, avoid the confrontation altogether.
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Approach your supervisor with your concerns. If the bully employee is your immediate supervisor, go to her supervisor. Explain that you tried to work it out with the employee in question and how the attempt went. Tell this person everything the employee, or your supervisor, has done that you feel constitutes bullying. Ask that a meeting be called between the employee and you with the relevant supervisor present.
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File an official complaint in writing if requested. If the bulling doesn't stop, go back to the supervisor. If your immediate supervisor doesn't seem to be taking the appropriate steps, take your complaint up the chain of command.
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File a complaint with the police if workplace bullying involves threat to your life, harassment outside work, or physical violence. While being a bully isn't illegal in and of itself, threats on your life and physical violence are legal issues and should be reported. According to a 2010 article in "Time," some states, beginning with New York, are passing laws that target workplace bullying. If these Healthy Workplace laws pass, it could result in the ability to file lawsuits against workplace bullies. In addition, if harassment related to your membership in a protected group, such as race, religion or gender, is involved, you may have legal rights as explained by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (see Resources).
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Tips & Warnings
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission defines harassment as "unwelcome conduct that is based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information."
Realize that a workplace bully may try to engage you in negative behavior. Do not fall into this trap, which can put you in the same class as the bully. Always handle an employee bully through the appropriate channels.
Do not respond to the bullying with anger.
