The document addresses the pervasive issue of bullying in the workplace, offering strategies for individuals and organizations to recognize, address, and prevent it.
Signs of Being Bullied:
- Severe anxiety or physical illness about going to work.
- Feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation.
- Increased use of sick days as a coping mechanism.
- Noticing differential treatment compared to coworkers.
- Experiencing frequent emotional outbursts.
- Suspecting tampering with personal space and belongings.
- Receiving unwarranted negative performance reviews.
Building Assertiveness:
- Fake confidence and make eye contact.
- Rehearse interactions to build confidence.
- Remind yourself of your achievements.
- Read inspiring biographies.
- Set and accomplish short-term goals.
- Engage in self-care activities.
- Be knowledgeable in your field.
- Practice gratitude.
Creating an Anti-Bullying Culture:
- Leadership should initiate and model anti-bullying behaviors.
- Clear, consistent policies against bullying.
- Training employees to recognize and address bullying.
- Ensuring all employees sign the anti-bullying policy.
Tactics That Don't Work:
- Ignoring or appeasing the bully.
- Complying with or being aggressive towards the bully.
Common Bully Tactics:
- Blaming targets for nonexistent errors.
- Unreasonable job demands and excessive criticism.
- Inconsistent rule application.
- Threats of termination and verbal abuse.
- Taking credit for the target’s ideas and achievements.
Responding to Bullying:
- As a manager: Address the bullying behavior directly with the perpetrator.
- As a subordinate or coworker: Use assertive communication to address the behavior.
Short-Term Survival Tips:
- Build a support network.
- Be assertive and minimize contact with the bully.
- Remember that being targeted is not your fault.
Cognitive Distortions and Their Cures:
- All or Nothing Thinking: Recognize shades of gray.
- Mental Filter: Focus on positive aspects.
- Personalization: Accurately assess responsibility.
- Magnification/Minimization: Acknowledge achievements and challenges appropriately.
- Emotional Reasoning: Challenge irrational beliefs with facts.
- "Should" Statements: View life as a series of lessons rather than mistakes.
- Chicken Little: Celebrate positive outcomes and take one day at a time.
The document emphasizes proactive leadership, supportive environments, and individual assertiveness as key to combating workplace bullying.