1.Approach your bullying problem like a work project. Be methodical in how you behave, perform, document and strategize. Take notes after an incident. Try to stay unemotional. Even though he or she is trying to make you think the opposite, it is the bully who has a serious personal and professional problem, not you. 2. Be a workplace warrior. Even if you plan to put out feelers for other jobs, dedicate yourself to vanquishing your abuser, not being a victim. 3.Sweat the small stuff. Document even the smallest incidents, which often become the most important, illustrating a pattern of bullying that might not otherwise be apparent. Teasing counts. Sarcasm counts. Ignoring you or criticizing you counts. A very public glare or silent treatment counts. 4.Dont let yourself get isolated. Every day, pick out someone you havent talked to for a while. Have a brief but focused conversation. Bullies work hard to alienate targets from their co-workers. Dont let that happen to you. 5.Display self-esteem and broadcast a positive attitude. Pay attention to how your appearance - such as hair and clothes - is perceived by others. Make your personal space an oasis of calm and taste. 6.Try to stay in safe spots. Your abuser is less likely to attack when you are around other supervisors, known allies, particularly upright employees, and customers or other outsiders of importance to the employer. Make a list of those people and places. 7.During a bullying situation, excuse yourself. Dont beat a hasty retreat, and dont leave the building; tell your abuser that youre late for an appointment with HR, for example. Or casually excuse yourself to use the restroom. Never enter the restroom if you are being pursued by a bully. 8.During an attack, try distracting your abuser. Pick up something physical - as long at its not a threatening item - such as a critical file that needs the bullys attention or a note with an important phone number that needs to be called. Sometimes a simple distraction is enough to get him or her to stop. 9. Protect your personal information. Tell bullies as little as possible about your life, family, friends, hobbies, interests, religion and so on. Information about you gives them power. 10. Hold your cards close to the vest. As youre building a case against a bully boss, the less you talk about your story to others at work, the better. Controlling what you say, when you say it and to whom needs to be part of your overall, well-organized strategy.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Mar 2014 17:42:13 +0000
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