Bullying is becoming a serious problem in the workplace and demands urgent attention. Burying our heads in the sand and failing to address the problem is no longer an option. Bullies should be held accountable for their behaviour. Simply suggesting to employees that they should learn strategies to respond to bullying is unacceptable. It is like telling a battered victim he or she needs to learn to communicate more effectively and directly to minimize the abuse inflicted by a batterer.
Bullying is a form of abuse and must be viewed as a crime. The time has come for all workers who are abused or bullied in their workplaces to speak out against it. It should not be tolerated or kept a secret any longer as workplace bullying can cause extensive health problems – for employees – including a number of physical and psychological illnesses and injuries. Although individual responses vary from person to person, people who are bullied at work experience stress, anxiety, panic attacks and trouble sleeping. They may also suffer high blood pressure, ulcers and other stress-related illnesses.
Research suggests that while anyone can engage in workplace bullying, most of the time the bullies are bosses. Therefore employers should be the ones to deal with or address the issue. They should not be the ones to support, encourage, be a part of, accept, shrug off or ignore bullying issues. To do this they become a part of the problem and perpetrators of the abuse. They also give the bosses the power to further bully their targets, and also promote and encourage a toxic work environment which can lead to higher turnover, a bad reputation for the organization and potential lawsuits.
Bullying is a pattern of humiliating, offensive workplace conduct most often perpetrated by someone in a position of power and/or authority. Bullying often manifests as an abuse of power whose targets suffer serious and long-lasting emotional and physical health-harming effects. Not unlike batterers who emotionally abuse their victims, bullies engage in learned abusive workplace behaviour because they often get away with it.
The responsibility lies with the organizational leaders to take ownership to address and eliminate all forms of workplace abuse that is occurring in the workplace. It is not the responsibility of the workers, or the targets, as this form of abuse has very long-reaching repercussions both for the organization and the workers.
It must be noted that workplace bullies tend to target coworkers who are the best and the brightest employees. They also try to drive out any employee that they view as a threat. Typically, these workers are technically savvy, independent, have good social skills and strong ethics – just the kind of people we want working in our organizations.
When persons are bullied at work, their creativity suffers and they may even become less productive. Eventually, bullied workers may leave to avoid dealing with the stress of working with a bully. Workplace bullying is also disruptive to other employees – especially if they witness the behaviour. Fear of becoming the next target can also impede their growth and productivity as well.
There are several ways to spot a workplace bully. These include watching for signs of a bully and watching for signs of a target.
Possible Signs of a Bully
Exhibiting poor impulse control
Bullies with poor impulse control are quick-tempered, tend to yell and use profanity. They are also prone to using insults and calling names.
Attempting to monitor, control or isolate other workers
Workplace bullies may hold surprise meetings as a means to humiliate another person. They may also make surprise appearances in an employee’s work area in an attempt to catch them doing something they shouldn’t be doing. And, they conveniently leave others out of important meetings or e-mails.
Sabotaging the work of others
Bullies tend to discount the accomplishments of others and take credit for things they didn’t do. They may also withhold valuable information from other employees in an effort to sabotage their work performance. And they threaten subordinates with job loss, set unreasonable schedules, make unrealistic work demands and squash attempts at promotion.
Appearing self-centered or inconsiderate
Bullies are the ones who dominate meetings with interruptions, sarcasm and insults. They also consistently question and criticize other people’s ideas. Additionally, bullies use non-verbal cues to control other employees such as coughing, rolling their eyes, squeaking their chair, tapping a pencil on the table, tapping their foot impatiently and so on.
Talking behind the backs of coworkers
Watch out for people who seem to be “in-the-know” about other people. Some of what they say may be fabricated rumors and gossip. Bullies tend to make snide remarks about other people, make fun of people and criticize others.
Seeming to belong to a clique
Bullies, especially female bullies, are prone to isolating and excluding other workers – especially those that they feel threatened by. These bullies sometimes even have a following or a group of people that appear to dress, talk and act like them.
If you are a target or victim of workplace bullying, it is important that you speak out about it.
Remember: Silence gives consent. If we were to remain silent, we will be guilty of complicity.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. Referrals can also be made directly through the Atlantic Star Center of Medical Excellence, South Hill, Anguilla. By Appointment Only: Tel 497-0765
