How to Handle a Boss Who Is a Bully
Bullies are very damaging to an organization, according to Psychology Today. These individuals intimidate individuals, making people feel worthless and hampering innovation. When handling a bully, it’s important to be careful. Building a team of allies and confronting the issues with individuals high up in the organization can put a stop to bullying for good. It’s also helpful to explore legal options in some cases.
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Instructions
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Document the bullying. Avoid a “word vs. word” case by starting detailed documentation about what’s happening. Voicemails, emails and other concrete evidence should be put in a file. Having this concrete documentation will force the company to investigate what’s going on instead of dismissing the issue.
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Partner with other employees. A bully doesn’t usually pick on one person. There are usually multiple recipients of this behavior. Recruiting allies makes your case stronger, reports Psychology Today. It’s more effective to confront the organization if there are several individuals receiving poor treatment.
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Take the matter to a higher authority. A bully is bad for business. It can negatively affect productivity and interfere with the company’s bottom line. Approach a manager that’s two levels higher than your boss about the matter (your boss’s boss). Present evidence against the bully to the appropriate person. Provide names of other individuals who have been bullied to make your case stronger.
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Check out legal options. If the company doesn’t take action on your request, it’s time to check out other options. Unfortunately, there isn’t a law against bullying in the workplace. According to Bank Rate.com, about 25 percent of bullying cases involve discrimination. This may be grounds for legal action. Find an attorney in your area by contacting your state bar association.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider taking some time away from work. According to Bank Rate, when bullying occurs for a long period of time, it’s bad for your health. Consider talking with a counselor or taking some time away from work.
Stand your ground. Bullies tend to target people who are intimidated by their actions. Stand your ground and don’t allow the bully to target you.
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Comments
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I feel that if the Company hires a bully. And you and others complain and they do nothing....The company iS RESPONSIBLE....A boss who bullies can literly cause illness...DOCUMENT DOCUMENT DOCUMENT!
