Workplace bullying is much more common than we might think. Older workers may be targeted because of ageist stereotypes. Here’s how to identify bullying at work and four steps to confront a bully.
In my previous job, my manager was by far the biggest bully I’ve encountered to date. I was set up for failure from day one. I don’t know WHY other than he’s a misogynist and I’m a short little lady. The job (HE) made me grind my teeth, clench my jaws, and then the gut ached all the time. Never stay at a toxic job. Bullies are the worst. But you know what the ultimate revenge is? SUCCESS wink wink - karma is a bitch
Imagine being bullied, Harrassed, degradated on and caused defamation by your own Manager/Boss. You then report the behavior to HR / Associate Relations because Associate Relations is 100% for the Associate/Employee Right… yeah no wrong… Not only is workplace bullying wrong but what’s even worse is Retaliation. Kinda sad the world we live in today. (Venting on my situation AARP was not involved in this senario)
Reporting rarely stops the activity. You somehow become the problem and the bully is somehow protected. Shame.
Women are bullied more…overtly by men and covertly by women
Unfortunately there are more subtler ways for office bullying to take place…like slowly pushing the older worker out from their job because of unfounded claims of ageism or better yet never allowing an elder person to get past the application process for another job
As an HR professional who was the victim of a bully in my department, this advice is completely hilarious. I did these things, everyone was powerless to help or intervene and even the CEO wouldn’t do anything - going so far as to try to gaslight me when he 100% knew what was going on. Just didn’t want to lose that executive. I had to quit that job. I couldn’t even sue as bullying isn’t recognized as harassment yet. But it IS. It absolutely is targeted and sustained harassment.
I’m always happy to share how I handled workplace bullying in my workplace. It would make a classic case-study of pushing back against organizational indifference.
Happens all the time! People who do this manage the tools used to protect people and create a safe workplace! Document Document Document!
Great article, unfortunately - the ones who need to read it won't. Therefore, good workers end up leaving jobs they may love due to people who they don't. Why can't we all just get along???
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1moIn my experience, bullies often catch you off guard and conceal their tactics in "closed-door" meetings. Another strategy they use is provoking you and then playing the victim when you respond.