Over the past decade, bullying in the workplace has become recognized as an occupational health and safety issue. Most Canadian workers have seen it happen to someone or experienced it themselves.
Bullying is also referred to as harassment or psychological violence. This is any repeated mistreatment of a person that endangers their health or level of functioning. Individuals who are bullied may feel anxiety, humiliation, anger, frustration, de-motivation, stress and shame. They may lose their self-confidence.
Workplace bullying may include such things as verbal abuse; spreading of rumours; issuing threats; criticism; isolating the target; exclusion; humiliation; setting the target up for failure by setting unrealistic goals or deadlines; overloading the employee with work or responsibility and then often removing the authority necessary to get the job done.
Harassing acts of commission or omission are driven by the bully's need to control a person or situation that is perceived as a threat. Bullies are insecure individuals who usually target good employees who are competent, co-operative and efficient .Bullying tends to escalate over time. While the bully is very seldom held accountable, bullied individuals face a 70% chance of losing their jobs.
Many surveys have been conducted in regard to this issue and their results are quite surprising. In a 2003 survey, the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute found the following results concerning individuals who had been bullied at work.
- 76% exhibited symptoms of stress and severe anxiety.
- 71% had disturbed sleep patterns.
- 39% had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
- In 70% of the cases, the victims quit their jobs or were let go.
- 17% of the victims transferred to other departments within the same company.
- Only 13% of the perpetrators ever suffered any consequences.
- In 71% of the cases the bully had higher rank than the victim.
- 17% were bullied by peers.
- 12% of the victims were bullied by someone lower than them on the workplace ladder.
What can you do if you find yourself the target of a bully? The Canada Safety council has some advice. They recommend that the first step you take is talking to the bully face to face. Explain why you think you are being targeted and how you feel. Be calm and never retaliate with disrespect or threats as these may be used against you.
Check the company policy. Many companies have procedures to follow. Avoid being alone with the bully. Discuss the problem with your manager, Human Resources personnel or a trade union representative. You may want to talk to your co-workers to see if anyone else has been subjected to the same treatment.
Document all incidents. Record the date, what happened, any witnesses that were present, how it affected your feelings and your work, and any medical help you sought. With the exception of Quebec, unless harassment involves sexual harassment or discrimination along the lines of sex, race, age, or religion, Canadian labour laws do not address bullying. You may decide to bring the issue to the attention of the Human Rights Commission.
Educate yourself about this issue. There is a wealth of information on this topic in self-help books and on-line. If possible, be active in your workplace. Try to influence company policy and guidelines regarding harassment, bullying and psychological violence. Repeatedly remind yourself that you are not the problem. The bully is the problem. The bully's view and opinion of you is incorrect and intrue. Encourage yourself to be strong.
Medically, psychologically and socially, society pays a high cost for bullying. Employers and employees suffer because bullying can lead to illness, resignation, high staff turn over, severance packages and costly litigation. A workplace atmosphere can become poisoned with low morale, high absenteeism, loss of efficiency, fear, anger and depression. A target's marriage, family and friendships may suffer. Bullying costs the health care system in terms of visits to doctors, prescription medicine and long term counselling.
Many individuals have had to leave the work they love because of bullying. This is very unfair and most unfortunate. However, in the long run, it is not worth allowing bullying to permanently damage your health and your future. If there is no solution within a reasonable time, consider moving on to a new work environment. Move on but don't go quietly. Make sure that the highest ranking person in your company or trade union is aware of your situation. If you have difficulty letting go and moving on, you may need to seek help from a counsellor.
