Workplace BULLYING

Ankush Agrawal 10119006

Video

Definition
-by the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute,USA

Workplace Bullying can be defined as unwelcome (overt and subtle) behaviors on the part of one or more individuals whose actions have the effect of causing psychological harm thereby hampering the targets ability to perform his/her job. According to the Institute, it is more common than sexual harassment or verbal abuse. It is the deliberate, hurtful, repeated mistreatment of employees driven by a desire to control. Bullying behavior may exist at any level of an organization. Bullies can and often are managers and supervisors as well as co-workers.

Did you know?

The word Bully use to mean the total opposite of what it means now. Five hundred years ago, it meant friend, family member or sweetheart.

Direct
Physical hitting, kicking, pushing, stealing, hiding or ruining someones things. Making someone do something they dont want to do. Verbal name calling, teasing, insulting, threats.

Indirect
Relationship Bullying gossiping, spreading rumors and lies about someone. Making someone feel left out or rejected.

Workplace Bullying Examples

Being shouted at or humiliated Being the target of practical jokes Blame without justification

Exclusion or social isolation

Physical intimidation (proximal) Excessive micro-managing Purposely withholding vital information

Examples (cont.)
Setting impossible goals for subordinates to reach Blocking potential training and employment Tampering with an employees personal belongings

Removing areas of responsibility without cause

Bullying You Decide?

How does it make you feel?

The Effect of Bullying -A workplace Manifestation

Absenteeism Decreased productivity Manifestation of illness High turnover Increased accidents on the job

Violence

The Effects of Bullying

When targets believe that they have been bullied:
Some will cut back on work Some will contemplate leaving the job Only 10% do Take it out on innocent family or pets Others will steal from the job, sabotage work, damage equipment, damage personal property of the bully or Contemplate a violent act and carry it out

A Bully Prone Organization

The Good ole boys club A culture of arrogance and huge egos

People live in fear of ticking someone off

People in some positions (Admins.) are not respected and treated as paper pushers People who come up with new ideas get squashed or trivialized

The Bully Composite Profile

Come from all backgrounds

Does not like fair competition

Are generally competent and good at what they do.

Relish being at the center of attention, enjoy the limelight Are ambitious and aggressive Tend to have poor interpersonal skills Are often arrogant and great manipulators

Feels that he/she is above the rules

Will hold grudges Will rarely admit to make mistakes

Is quick to blame, finger point

Wont hesitate to take credit for the accomplishments of others Great at kissing up & kicking down Have little integrity

Who is a Target?

The Target Composite Profile

Come from all backgrounds

Are competent
Are often physically attractive Are non-aggressive

Refuse to be subservient, subjugated or controlled Have integrity, strong ethics and values, are honest and trusting Have high expectations for authority Are sympathetic, caring and trusting, are quick to forgive Tend to be talented and creative Are well-liked, popular and respected

Have a very low tolerance for unfairness and intolerance

Are independent, refuse to join established cliques

Are helpful to others and always willing to share

Source: Bully In Sight, Tim Fields

The Roots of Bullying

Roots of Bullying
Most targets are high achievers this is more than likely between peers / jealousy When bullying is boss to target, its usually because the supervisor is threatened by the target (fear) Bullies may experience enjoyment because of your pain (Reuters article)

Bullying is on the Rise

According to a recent study by the national Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) bullying in the workplace is on the rise.
24.5% of companies surveyed indicate that bullying has taken place; 10.5%

involving bullying by external customers

More women are becoming bullies

Statistics on Bullying
37% of the workplace has been bullied
72% of bullies are bosses

57% of targets are female

Bullying happens four times more than illegal harassment 62% of employees ignore the problem

Statistics (cont.)
45% of targets report stress related health problems
Panic attacks Clinicial depression Post traumatic stress

40% of targets never tell anyone 3% of targets file lawsuits

Dealing With a Peer Bully

Request the meeting to discuss something important to our relationship.do not share anything more! Have her/him meet you in your office or in some neutral place Take control of the encounter set a 15 minute time limit Firmly say that calls, doing email, other interruptions wont be allowed Avoid any small talk; get right to the point. Be direct.

If the boss is the bully

Carefully consider his/her personality and how the feedback may be received. Start with the good whats positive about the relationship! Say whats not working for you, exact behaviors on his/her part that has adversely impacted your productivity. Express what youd like to see done differently. Allow the boss to respond; dont get into a debate.

Commit to doing your part to make things work and to maintain a consistent level of solid performance.
Thank her/him for hearing you out.

8 Ways To Bully-Proof Yourself

1) Take an assertive approach early to establish and enforce your boundaries (bullies bully those who they think they can bully) 2) Convey clearly that unacceptable behavior is not acceptable silence may give the bully the green light 3) Be forceful when the bully does not respond to peaceful, reasonable approaches but

never resort to physical acts

4) Hold the bully accountable for his/her behavior

8 Ways To Bully-Proof Yourself

5) Speak with authority and with a commanding presence - any perceived weakness makes you susceptible 6) State your demands using you statements tell the bully what you want in a firm way; it will get his attention 7) Dont be thrown off by taunts and dont respond in kind address the bully by name and tell him or her to stop! 8) Avoid giving them long explanations; be clear that certain things are non-negotiable and not open to debate!

Keep in Mind
Conflict Happens. Situations happen but work should not hurt.
Remember: The only thing you can truly control is how you choose to respond.

The Power of an Apology

A sincere apology benefits the giver and receiver. Shows respect and empathy for the wronged person It is a way of acknowledging an act that if left un-noticed may compromise the relationship.

Some things you can say if someone is getting bullied.

The Golden Rule

Treat others the way you want to be treated