How To Deal With A Workplace Bully
Document The Bully's Actions
From the moment you find yourself on the receiving end of workplace bullying, it is your prerogative to document the bully's actions. This goes for any misconduct you encounter in the workplace. Precise records of what is said, including the date and time, are necessary if the situation escalates and a third party is called in to mediate. By making records of these occurrences, you are providing yourself with itemized, meticulously gathered proof that will work to your credit. Documenting the bullying also shows you are serious about this and you are not willing to neglect what has happened.
Let's use the example that the bullying situation has escalated and involved your manager. When questioned about what precisely the bully has done, you'll be able to provide an explicit account of every act of aggression on the part of the bully, which immediately removes any potentially held suspicion on the part of the manager. It also sends the bully a clear message that their actions have seriously bothered you and you are not willing to easily let it go.
Talk To Your Coworkers/Get Witnesses
This step would ideally be combined with the previous one. If a bully is tormenting you at work, chances are you aren't the only one. Simply asking your coworkers if they have also been victims or if they have witnessed any bullying can be a great benefit for you. For instance, if you find one of your coworkers is also the subject of abuse, you may decide to jointly confront the bully.
Chances are, however, if your coworker was indeed bullied, and has kept it quiet all along, they have no interest in confronting the bully. But by standing with them, you may finally give them the strength to stand up against the bully once and for all. Even if you are the only one in your workplace who is the subject of the bullying, it is important to talk with your coworkers to, at the very least, provide yourself with credible witnesses. Don't be afraid to talk to your coworkers.
