Bullying and harassment can happen anywhere, including the workplace! You want to be approachable and get on with everyone, and you want to stay professional. Yet workplaces can become stressful and chaotic, sometimes leading to bullying. Here are some signs you’re being bullied at work:
We’re all guilty of alienating, ignoring, or excluding people at one time or another, but when this happens frequently or even one-on-one with a colleague, you can be sure that your actions are the cause. You don’t want to be on the receiving end of this hostile behaviour, but what can you do when you’re the one doing it?
If you’re feeling stressed or angry, consider finding a quiet, private space to think about what you’re doing to contribute to the situation. If you think that you don’t contribute, either ask yourself if there’s a way you could change it or take a step back from the situation to help you see it from a more objective point of view.
If you’re afraid of being criticised in front of others or denied the opportunity to improve, you may be experiencing bullying. It can be tough to handle when your boss or colleague badmouth you in front of others.
You should certainly speak to your boss about this if you feel safe doing so. But if you’re feeling like this behaviour is just going to continue, consider talking to your HR department or a leadership team member.
Being constantly insulted, publicly criticised, or being called out for a stereotype you don’t fit can be tough to deal with. You may feel like you have to put up with it because you’re worried things will get even worse.
This is a common concern, but you should never be made to feel threatened or treated unfairly. If this happens at your workplace, speak up and let people know that this behaviour has to stop. You might not be used to standing up for yourself, but this is the best way to protect yourself and get the help you need.
One of the worst signs of experiencing bullying at work is when you feel like you’re being passed over despite consistently good performance. This can happen when a team leader does not like you or perceives you as a threat to another employee.
An excellent way to address this type of bullying is to evaluate your own performance and be honest with yourself. But if the bullying doesn’t stop, talk to your HR department or the leadership team so they can step in.
If you’re being bullied at work, it’s essential to speak up and get help. The first step is to evaluate your behaviour and your own contributions. Then you can act on that self-awareness to take control of the situation and resolve it.
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