How to Deal With a Bully Boss After Returning From a Medical Leave of Absence

Workplace bullies cannot be ignored for the mental health and morale of all employees.

Coming back to work from a medical leave can be stressful enough, as an employee deals with catching up on paperwork and any duty changes pushed through during the absence. But dealing with an abusive or bullying manager, who seems to have you in his sights, takes workplace stress to a new level. If an attempt to talk to the bonn has not resolved the problem, you must handle this bully like any you encountered as a child --- by standing up to him.

Instructions

1. Stay cool during a conflict to avoid escalating the situation. While your boss is clearly in the wrong for acting in this manner, acting like he does will only hurt you. If possible, listen and do not respond to any personal comments or attacks. Use body language to show you are not intimidated by his demeanor; stand up straight and look him in the eye, keeping your voice firm. Politely ask him to remain professional in his demeanor with you during conversations or a third party will need to be called in to discuss the situation.

2. Review the company's policy on bullying in the employee manual, if there is one, and follow any required procedures for preparing a formal complaint against your boss. A smaller company may not have an actual procedure in place, especially if the situation has never occurred before.

3. Begin a log of all conversations that take place with your boss in which you are being bullied. Note the date and time, and what was said by both parties. Keep the log outside of the workplace --- maybe in your car or at home --- where no one else can find and read it.

4. Retain copies of any e-mails or memos that are sent to you that show the boss is treating you improperly. This may include anything with implied or overt threats to your job, criticism regarding your performance or personal comments that are inappropriate for the workplace. Keep these with your log, or in a safe place; however, do not keep them at the office.

5. Make an appointment to speak with a human resources representative once you feel you have properly documented your complaint. Ask any co-workers who have witnessed the bullying to attend the meeting with you, or file a complaint on your behalf to provide additional documentation to your version of the facts.

Tips & Warnings

• If the situation continues after a complaint is filed, and the company is not doing anything to stop your boss from bullying you, you have two options: 1) Find a lawyer who deals with the legalities of workplace conflicts, or b) look for another job.

• While taking time to document the situation may be necessary, report any violence or threat of violence immediately to the proper parties.

References

• Personal HR Consultant: Job Harassment
• Side Road; "Workplace Etiquette: How To Avoid Conflict in the Workplace"; Mark Sichel
• The Office Professional; "Handling workplace bullies"; Catherine Mattice; March 2011

Resources

• CBS Interactive Business Network; "How to Handle a Workplace Bully"; Jennifer Alsever; Oct 2008
• Career Realism; "10 Tips For Dealing With Workplace Harassment"; Melissa C. Martin; February 2011
• CNN Money; "Dealing with an abusive boss"; Gerri Willis; October 2004
• Bully Online: How to deal with workplace bullying and how to tackle bullying at work