BULLYING

Those that can do; those that can't bully

The Andrea Adams Trust, the national charity against workplace bullying, defines bullying as 'the unnecessary, offensive, humiliating behaviour towards an individual or groups of employee.' It can be unpredictable, unfair and irrational. It is the abuse of power or position, that can cause anxiety and distress, as well as physical ill health.

The life of someone on the receiving end of bullying can be made utterly miserable, as it can affect life as a whole, not just the part spent at work. Bullying can undermine a persons self-confidence and self-esteem, which in turn can severely effect their performance.

The problem is not a small one. It has been estimated that almost 19 million working days are lost and that up to a half of all stress-related illnesses and absences may be due at least in part to bullying.

While bullies often attack those who are weaker than themselves, bullies may well seize the opportunity to hold down anyone who may be viewed as a threat. A departmental head who identifies a particularly able member of their team may humiliate and damage that individual, so reducing the likelihood of their becoming a threat in the future. Being a good performer is no defence against a bully.

Bullying can take the form of persistent, negative malicious attacks on personal or professional performance. Swearing, particularly in front of colleagues, is humiliating but many bullies use subtler and more insidious tactics. Colleagues may be ignored, given near-impossible tasks and criticised for failing to complete them, or made the subject of malicious gossip. That this gossip may be totally untrue is not important to the bully, as long as it can create doubt and suspicion in the minds of all.

If you feel you are being bullied you should think carefully about the following:

• Try to keep calm and remain in control. You can beat this, and it would be better that the bully does not see your suffering.
• Keep a detailed record of the bully's behaviour. Record what happened, who was present, when and what you did about it. This evidence will be invaluable when you come to take action and it may well establish clearly that the treatment was unfair and that it was not an isolated incident.
• Check your job description and contract of employment to make sure that you are only being given appropriate tasks and that deadlines and workloads are acceptable. If you are given menial jobs to do, try to delegate them to someone more appropriate and be prepared to justify that decision.
• Try to have a witness to all bullying incidents. Ensure that someone else is around whenever they occur and if necessary manoeuvre yourself so that this will happen.
• Check your employer's policy on bullying, harassment and unacceptable behaviour and also on how you can proceed with a complaint. You need to gather enough convincing evidence and then talk with your line manager, or if it is he or she doing the bullying, the next most senior person.
• Make a formal complaint. Do it carefully, reporting facts precisely and accurately and without being emotional. You may be feeling emotional but it will help your case if you can avoid appearing so. The facts will probably speak for themselves, so try to avoid presenting argument - simply say what happened.
• Take great care not to get involved in a slanging match. When anyone loses their temper, they inevitably weaken their own case considerably.
  
• Consult an employment solicitor. Employers that allow such behaviour by their staff are failing in their duty of care to employees and you may be able to bring a case.
  
• If you should decide to get another job, explain your reasons to the firm you are leaving. Even if you still move, it may help others.
  
• Don't bottle it up. Talk to your family and friends and make sure that you don't face this alone.

Bullying is nasty and cruel. You must not suffer in silence. Help is available.

Call CABA's 24 hour Advice and Counselling Helpline on 0800 107 6163 to talk to a professional counsellor in confidence.

If you are concerned about a family member or colleague who is being bullied and you would like to talk to someone in confidence, please call on 0800 107 6163

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