HOW TO FACE BULLYING IN THE WORK PLACE

Dr. Maurice Lipsedge, consultant psychiatrist at the Guy's Hospital in London, said the effects of bullying could lead to a sense of helplessness, inadequacy, confusion, anxiety, tiredness, disorganization at work, lowered self- esteem, and depression.

Workplace of bullying is a form of violence which is rapidly becoming an everyday reality for many workers.  Not dealing with it and shrouding it in silence , however, is counterproductive. Generally, workplace bullying could be any situation when you feel singled out for unfair treatment by a boss or a colleague.

Dr. Paul Brown, director of Adaptive Research at Penna Holdings, says, "Trouble is, it takes two to be bullied. The person who is being bullied begins to feel like the coward. It's a complete invasion."

However, there are remedies to any situation. If you feel you are being singled out or bullied at work you should not to put up with it. There are steps you can take.

1. keep a diary. This will give a vital record of the nature of the bullying and when it occurred. It will be important when the bullying is confronted. many of the incidents may appear trivial in isolation, so it is important to establish a pattern over a period of time.

2. Speak to the bully. A direct approach is usually the best. Tell the person that you find his behavior unacceptable and ask him to stop. This is sometimes all that is needed. Bullies do not like being confronted particularly by someone who is calm and civilized.

3. Majority of bullying goes behind closed doors, so tell a friend or work colleague about it. you may well find out you are not the only one who has suffered. It is important that you do not try to cope on your own.

4. If you are in union and there is a Union safety representative where you work, tell him what has been happening. This will be in confidence and does not mean that a formal complaint will automatically be made. A safety rep will only do what you want him or her to and will give you the advice and support you need.  He or she will want the bullying stopped quietly and quickly and can go with you to speak to the bully, or see him or her on your behalf. The safety rep will also help you with a formal complaint, if it goes that far, giving advice and support throughout the procedure.

5. Tell your manager or supervisor. Take your diary with you to back up what you have to say. Your manager or supervisor may not believe you, but you have at least told him there is a bullying problem. The more people that know, the more difficult it is for the bullying to flourish.

6. Make a formal complaint. In the end, you may have to make a formal complaint and go through the grievance procedure.

It is important to find your voice by setting out our criticism concisely and clearly and sending a copy of it to proper authorities. Stand up and be counted by requesting your human resource to spell out the organizational policy on bullying.

Some bullies are not worth the battle. Ask yourself why you would want to stay in an organization that runs on undisciplined, insecure people.