Harmless banter around the office is acceptable and commonplace. It helps to break the monotonous nine to five routine and can even consolidate relationships. However, when there is an overly aggressive and/or demanding co-worker around it may be that he/she is what we have come to know as the office bully. People who constantly offload their anger and fear on a selected victim do so for a reason and the reason is the desire for control. Employees who are hard working and diligent, technically/socially adept and those who possess a strong sense of ethics are viewed as threats by workplace bullies. As a direct consequence, they will be targets.
According to the Workplace Bullying and Trauma Institute, other possible explanations for this are:
- The individual in question will receive rewards for aggressive behaviour.
- The internal structure of an organization is cut-throat, and the bully wants to get rid of anybody who stands in the way of a promotion or other chances to get ahead.
- The bully has a predatory, manipulative personality.
Whatever the motives of the bully might be, the effects can be highly debilitating and even dangerous. Here are ten warning signals which show you might be the recipient of a bully's terror tactics.
- Being screamed at especially in front of an audience.
- Being asked to make eye contact by an aggressive supervisor when he/she is talking, but when you speak their eyes divert in another direction.
- Requests for a leave of absence are ignored.
- Other employees who once enjoyed socializing with you have ceased to make any kind of contact (verbal or otherwise).
- Adverse physical symptoms start to arise when the bully confronts you; panic attacks and an increased heartbeat are among the most common.
- During a meeting your comments and feedback are passively dismissed.
- If you try to make a case against a bully to those who are at higher levels in a company, your complaints will generate little or no action at all.
- Exhaustion follows you wherever you go even on weekends.
- If problems arise at work the bully can be quite skillful at making it look like you are the cause.
- You are unable to get anything done because your work is being repeatedly criticized.
The Physical, Mental and Financial Effects of Bullying
Depression, sleep disorders, chronic fatigue and thoughts of suicide are some common results of bullying. In rare cases a bullied employee will lash out and start to behave violently. A corporation can suffer from prolonged absenteeism, low productivity and lost revenue.
What to Do When the Situation Becomes Intolerable
Report what's happening to the person/people who are in charge of the HR department. Attach a name to a face and also mention any name calling, insults or threats which came from the bully. It also might help to get some outside legal assistance if the bully has been especially forceful. If, however, nothing is done on your behalf it's probably a good time to hit the road once again and look for a new job. After all, no job in the world is worth living in fear.
