Bullying in the Workplace: Practical Solutions

What is a practical solution to bullying in the workplace?

Everyone participate in showing the offending person these behaviors will not be accepted.

• enforce that a respectful workplace is expected.
  • show people this through your own behaviors and how you manage your own people
  • If you see behaviors that are not respectful then stop them; in a meeting, boardroom, someone’s office, hallways etc
    • when you see it – stop it,  no matter who it is doing it
• to create a company wide culture of respect, leaders will need to ensure people at all levels have bought into creating a culture of care.
• engage with all levels of employees and encourage open conversations on various topics, including the harder topics like workplace abuse.
  • use current events about these topics to open up a conversation amongst your staff and discuss your beliefs and values
    • this will help make it easier when someone has an issue to come and talk to you.

• will be required to manage the behaviors as they occur
  • this will entail monitoring the group dynamic
  • managing the offending behavior, do not ignore it
  • use progressive discipline
  • follow through with what you say you are going to do

• will be required to not be silent or make comments that support the bullying behaviors.
• support creating a culture where people are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity.
  • some times this mean saying:
    • "that was not appropriate"
    • Stepping in and tell the bully – "we don’t talk to people like that here"
  • If they know the bully is targeting someone – talk to someone in authority that they know would support creating a respectful culture
  • encourage others to also report what they see.

• reflect on your responses:
  • are there times you provide an opening for the bully to engage in the behavior?
    • Here is what I have learned about myself – hope it helps;
      • sometimes I needed to ignore them and walk away from the screaming and yelling > why – because they are an idiot!
      • some times I will have to tell them to mind their own business > why – because they are minding my business and have no right, – with a quick "Mind your own business!"
      • other times report to a higher authority (keeping a documentation of occurring incidents)
         
        • if they choose not to do anything – then it is time to make a decision.
          • Live with it, leave the job or take the risk and take it up a level.
    Bully:
     
    • Be more respectful to the people you work with
    • Use the filter in your brain, before you let thoughts out into the world that are rude and hurtful
    • Ask your manager to let you take conflict management courses & coaching
    • learn how to get what you need to accomplish your goals in a way that respects others.
     
    There is no quick fix – this is an issue of social culture and an individual’s cognitive behavior.
     
    It is not just about abuse in the workplace, it is about abusive social interactions that occur in our society.
     
    If we want civility in the workplace, then we also need to work on civility in our society.
     

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