STOPPING workplace emotional bullying is doable. Even though there is always a risk of workplace emotional bullying wherever people work together. Employers can implement measures to prevent and control the risk as follows:
Encourage workplace culture that prevents bullying
Culture is a crucial factor in preventing workplace bullying. Culture sets the standards and behaviours in a workplace. As such, cultures that encourage polite behaviour and polite messages are more likely to result in safe and healthy workplaces.
Work out policies to prevent bullying
Employers should develop and set up a policy for workplace bullying. The policy should set the standards of behaviour, makes a clear statement that bullying behaviour is not tolerated in the workplace. Also, state how the workplace will respond to allegations of bullying.
Provide instructions, training, and supervision
Instructions, training, and supervision are needed for workers’ safety. These include measures to prevent and respond to workplace bullying. And ensure workers who supervise others have the necessary skills. Where important, provide essential training to prevent and respond to workplace bullying.
Monitor bullying prevention measures
Employers can monitor bullying prevention measures through regular discussion at staff, management and board meetings. The aim of monitoring is to check that prevention measures continue to work, and if needed put new measures in place.
What You Can Do To Stop Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying can lead to health concerns, stress, and low productivity at work. Therefore, stopping workplace emotional bullying means you should take proper steps to stop workplace bullying for your wellbeing. Find below tips to consider if you find yourself bullied at work:
Read your company’s policy
Read your company’s policy if you are a victim of workplace bullying. This will help with the proper protocols to report such activity. Many organizations have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying which includes reporting guidelines when you are the bullying victim, or a witness. However, if your company doesn’t have a policy, or just needs updating, take it up with your manager or human resources.
Take a break
If you feel you are being bullied at work, take a break to assess the situation. From a calm disposition, you can decide the best way to deal with it. For instance, you can determine if the bullying was a one-off. Or if the bullying will evolve into constant abuse and harassment.
Focus on your overall wellbeing
Workplace emotional bullying can have a negative impact on your overall wellbeing, both mentally and physically. Hence, a good place to start is to seek the help of a mental health professional or counsellor. They will help you deal with the stress of bullying and come up with solutions on how to handle it.
Take it to a higher level or HR
If you don’t want to speak directly to the bully, think about taking it to a higher level or to human resources. But whatever you do, try to focus on the negative impact on productivity, wellbeing, and self-esteem. Likewise, be professional and calm.
Don’t take it personally
Try not to take bullying personally. The reality is that a bully often acts from a place of insecurity, jealousy, and from a need to control. As a matter of fact, bullies often target high performers that do well at work. Therefore, keep in mind not to react or feel bad about yourself when workplace bullying occurs.
Be direct and rise above the situation
It’s important to stay calm and rise above the situation. Respond to the bullying in a rational and professional manner. There’s no point in trying to confront the bully as this will only worsen the situation. Rather be direct about how the bullying makes you feel in a non-confrontational way.
Write it all down
Always write down everything related to your interactions with the bully. This not only provides a timeline of events but also helps you recall information more easily when needed.
Leave the job, if it’s not worth it
Your wellbeing and mental health are very important, and without that, you’re no good to anyone. If you have done all you can to eliminate the bullying, but it still continues, then it might be time to explore other options and leave the organization. The bully hasn’t won; you are the winner because you left a toxic environment to take care of yourself.
Bottom Line
Lastly, speak out immediately if you are experiencing emotional bullying at work. Similarly, if you witness workplace bullying, talk about it with the victim or others to find a way to address it. But it’s important to report it. This is for the reason that stopping workplace emotional bullying could mean a 5% reduction in all cardiovascular issues.
And given the obvious extensive and harmful effects of workplace bullying, for victims and witnesses alike, it’s more important than ever to create a cooperative culture in which bullying is off-limits, and stopped before it takes hold in the workplace.
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