Workplace Bullying – It’s not Just for Kids Anymore

In a 2017 national survey 60.4 million Americans are affected by workplace bullying according to the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI).”

Often, we see the term bullying to be something kids do on a playground. But it is becoming more common in the workplace as well.

We may think of bullying as pushing and shoving – again the playground scenario, but it is much greater and more complex in the workplace.

Here are a few examples:

• Insulting, yelling, swearing at each other
• Hurtful comments making fun of another employee or his/her work
• Spreading rumors or gossip about a fellow employee
• Excluding another from workplace activities or conversations
• Playing mind games or ‘ganging up’
• Making impossible demands; setting another up to fail
• Withholding important info
• Physical violence, from pushing and tripping to outright attacks
• Threatening phone calls or texts or threatening you with workplace equipment like knives or drills

Some of these examples are extreme, but others are more common. Employers must protect their employees form all forms of bullying in the workplace and simply having a policy is not enough. Employers must ensure that employees understand the issue and the consequences for violation of your policy.

Simple steps all employers should take to prevent bullying:

• Create a policy
• Train all immediate supervisors on the company’s policy against bullying
• Train the employees to recognize bullying behavior and where to report if they feel they are being treated poorly and in violation of the policy

Once a report has been made:

• Take report seriously
• Investigate
• Counsel, discipline and terminate the offender if necessary
• Document everything as it is proof that the company took immediate steps to address the abusive conduct. This will be handy should you have to go to court.

As always, we are here to assist in every aspect of this program. Email me direct at ana@infiniumhr.com