How do you think bullying in the workplace should be handled?

Question

You would think that once you leave high school, things get better, but in some work cultures, the bullying continues and there is no counselor or "an adult" to go to because you're the adult now. In some cases, the bully is tolerated because of what they offer to that job and so they "cannot be fired or reprimanded," and so everyone "just has to deal with them." It's not enough to say, well go work somewhere else, because you may need your job for things like medical benefits or because the salary is a lot better than elsewhere. So what do you think an employer and an employee should do in those situations?

Finchie40 · Accepted Answer

The thing is , people as adults, still act like they are in high school , it happens all the time , and sadly it will never end. If you are being bullied at work? the best thing to do is write down everything that is being said to you , and the date and time as well , and submit it to your boss , every encounter after that , document and submit to your boss. Your manager’s job is to report it to their bosses and handle that situation , the individual will more than likely be fired or suspended if there is documentation. Workplace bullying is not accepted in a lot of companies. So it’s best to document everything that occurs , because it’s valid proof they can use to fire that individual. Without documentation , it’s pretty much hear say , which they can’t really use against anyone. So it’s best to write it down , date and time of the occurrence and submit to your boss every time you are being bullied. They will be fired. I work as a manager and I have fired employees for bullying their coworkers , it isn’t accepted whatsoever. And that bully will have a very hard time landing another job, if they have to get a background check , so there is a price to pay for being an asshole at work

MacDaddyRico · Accepted Answer

I've worked for a bully or three in my time.

What I did with one was, through time, gathered enough information on him and his "crew" (his favorite ass-kissers, whom he kept dependent on him for cocaine,) and when he finally fired me (and had the county deny my unemployment benefits by claiming I was "insufficient" and "disgruntled,") (I wouldn't take his b. s. and embarrassed him in front of everyone one morning,) I notified OSHA and the local cops of his activities.

Every Friday (Payday) he'd have at least two plastic bags containing an ounce each of white powder sitting on his desk, ready to be distributed to his crew.

He also had a right-hand-man who did nothing at work, but they'd go work out at the gym together, taking steroids. Coke and steroids, a dangerous combination.

The two would go with the crew to nude bars and spend hundreds of dollars, yet he couldn't afford to pay his lead men more than $13/hour to run job sites.

The way I see it: I was looking for a job when I found that one. Move on...

Misscouincouin · Accepted Answer

To me the key is to act like those bullies made your day. It’s so exciting to see the madness in their eyes when you do so.
2 examples :
1. This girl tried to humiliate me saying my chest wasn’t big enough compared to her. So I thought about something that makes me so happy to have those stars in my eyes and I said in the most happy way « omg thank you I was so scared they had got bigger you just pleased me so much!!! » she was so mad 🥳🥳
2. We were discussing street harassing and catcalling and I was saying that I’m glad I had never been catcalled and that was a reason I loved our small city so much. So this friend who would always throwing darts at me said so proudly « maybe it’s because your not beautiful » . So I’ve answered with so much naivety « your so smart I actually didn’t think about this ! » and I acted like an intellectual working on this information. Again soooo mad 🥳🥳

delsworld · Accepted Answer

If HR isn't an option and no other physical actions or decisions can help you and there are no other work opportunities at that moment in time, make them feel small.
Have no reaction, or even laugh. They can't physically harm you without trouble and the only reason they continue on is because nobody has put them in their place.
Shutting their ego down however, is not associated with becoming angry or talking back - it's simply not responding and having no expression on your face. Sitting tall and just staring at them like you're bored. Another opinion on here describes it quite well too.

mobiusforniner · Answer

here’s a sad reality of life- some people never grow up. And yes, you will encounter bullies in the work place

First, you have to consider the root of bullying. It’s centered on self attention and envy; a desire to bring others down for validation over a perceived injustice.

i work in management and there are always people who hate me, no matter how much I try to make them happy. You MUST be okay with that. If you have haters, you’re doing something right.

Bullies want an emotional reaction from you. DO NOT react. Respond. Think about what they’re trying to do. In a lot of cases, engaging in the conversation is exactly what they want because you’re giving them attention and they know they’ve got you.

I’ve discovered in the many professional conflicts I encounter on a daily basis, silence is the best response. You simply pretend they don’t exist. Watch them squirm. Watch them get louder. Let them sink in their own filth. Demonstrate YOU have the one thing they don’t…. CONTROL.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

I was bullied over a mistake I made and less than a week later I was laid off due to structural changes arising from the Covid pandemic.

I believe God saw that I was being treated badly and wanted to remove me from that situation.

I had God tell me to reject guys in dreams before they even asked me out in the real world.

I also had dreams where God told me to reject some female friends or certain pastors and churches and fellowships

God protects me because God cares about me.

TommyMountainFigure · Answer

First point of call would be to their line manager stating exactly what was said or done with dates and times previously noted. Then if nothing is done, go to the line manager's boss.

If that doesn't work, grab them by the scruff of the neck and say ok then you want to bully me.. go ahead.. do your worst and see what happens..

When you get reported BY the bully, you say I came to you and went through the proper channels and nothing was done. If you side with the bully and sack me, I'll take you to a tribunal, claim for unfair dismissal and obtain my job back with you being transferred! Or you could do your job properly and prevent the bullying!

strangeatcircleK · Answer

HR for sure but I think it's also the work culture. Sometimes you have to leave a toxic work environment.

It's like a bully at school, if you tell the grown ups/HR they are just going to come back at you worse unless someone of importance at your job is on your side.

The only other thing is, bullies are like fire, they need something to stay lit/interesting if you have a way to take the fun out of their bullying, they might stop

But it is a tricky situation that really comes down to your jobs work culture

CuriousHubby · Answer

It should be but the ones bullying are the ones who suck up and only look good to the higher ups. Who usually did the same thing before so it's never handled. Best thing that happens is they get promoted and the company survived while your left to actually do your job and the job of 4 others of your coworkers.

Account · Answer

I would talk to them in the exact same manner or leave the work environment. I don't rat out people, that is a rule I strictly follow. I mind my own shit and if someone bothers me I give the appropriate response.
So far I haven't been fired yet from any work environment.

MisterWack · Answer

With me, I see it as focus on getting your work done as effectively as possible / don’t engage with stupid co workers as much as possible. If you really can’t handle it, move onto a different job or develop healthy coping mechanisms.

If it is physical abuse or harm then report to HR immediately.

genericname85 · Answer

honestly there are ways to work with the bullies to get them to change their ways. but that's expensive and time consuming. if i was the ceo, i'd just let bullies go. everyone is replacable and you can get someone to do the job that is not a bully. if i was an employee, i'd just leave the company. not dealing with a problem you don't have to deal with is often a more effective solution.

Alwayreckles93 · Answer

I would get in touch with Human services. If possible get a lawyer not sure but depends in what state you can sue the individual for harassment. Yes that is consider harassment enough is enough.

patois · Answer

I don't know what you are complaining about, you've already determined that you are willing to trade your happiness for medical benefits and a higher salary. Suck it up or get a new job.

SugarSugarplum · Answer

Do we mean  actual  bullying, where the employee is physically threatened? Or do we mean GenX bullying, like demanding you show up on time and actually do your damn job?

OddBeMe · Answer

HR has an honest purpose. It just usually attracts the lazy as management never seems to grasp how to use them.

If my company were big enough, I’d have HR people being like psychologists and counselors.

the29thhuman · Answer

I’ve been hated heavily. Outcasted and excluded from work information.
Later I found out it was because I was a threat to their position. I didn’t know, I just thought they were immature and had communication issues

oreodair · Answer

Terminate the bully, it's quite simple. It's unethical to hire people who do not display professionalism and partake in that behavior.

dustybiker2 · Answer

Quietly and professionally. Even film it. Nothing quite like letting someone dig their own hole.

jahaims · Answer

I just make their life hell in the most subtle ways so it can't come back on me. Probably threaten violence to the person when no one is around then deny it.

Phoenix98 · Answer

Defend yourself appropriately either verbally or physically

HH1488 · Answer

It should be encouraged. We here to make money, not be baby backed bitches.

ButtNakedMan · Answer

Sidekick to the face off a desk (for males). Work at my desk naked (for females)

lorenzomichael · Answer

There should be a designated person to kick them hard as fuck right in the pussy or in the nuts.

DishLady · Answer

That’s what HR and the Ombuds offices are for…

just_a_potato · Answer

fire squad!! 💥💥💥✨️

paledreams · Answer

I put up with it, or I found other job/s :)

impalabill77 · Answer

The bully should be fired.

Anonymous · Answer

Immediate termination no questions asked.

A_Wild_Redhead · Answer

Fire>.

Anonymous · Answer

stop being a fucking whore then

DrPepper12 · Answer

By HR swiftly

Sharkstealth · Answer

Sharia law

Anonymous · Answer

Thunderdome.

How do you think bullying in the workplace should be handled?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

How do you think bullying in the workplace should be handled?

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.