DEIDRE SAYS: Around 23 per cent of the British workforce have been bullied at work, but despite this, many still have questions on how to cope with this behaviour.
Bullying is when one or more people physically or emotionally hurt someone else.
People tend to bully others because they actually dislike things about themselves.
They’ll pick up on anything which they think makes them look big and you look small, usually because they’re jealous.
So what’s the best way to deal with bullies at work?
- Give the impression that you’re not bothered
Don’t give the impression that you’re intimidated or upset – bullies love to get a reaction, and so once they know you’re not bothered, they may leave you alone.
Confident body language – shoulders back, head up – and smiling at the person will also help to give this impression.
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- Distance yourself
Avoid any extra contact with the person, as this will lower the number of opportunities for bullying.
Talk to your line manager about working on other projects, or in collaboration with other teams.
- Talk About It
If a co-worker says or does something that upsets you, if you feel you can, tell them. But do it privately, and avoid being confrontational.
My support pack Standing Up For Yourself may help you get your point across.
If it continues to happen, talk to your line manager or the HR department.
You might think that keeping quiet about bullying is the sensible thing to do, but that can be a mistake and leave you feeling more isolated.
If you’re not ready to talk to someone at work about it, contact the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) – they provide confidential advice on what to do if you’re a victim of bullying in the workplace.
More information is available in our Are You Being Bullied? support pack.
Whatever your worry, you’re not alone. The Dear Deidre team will be able to recommend your best next steps to help get your life back on track.
For a support pack and personalised advice, email us at [email protected] or for a prompt response, message us on Facebook.
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