The Business Bully - Time to Grow Up

Bullying can happen at any age. Its a sad part of school life for many & for others it carries on into adult life affecting work & social aspects in different measures. Most of us have experienced it and probably the majority of us, if we are completely honest, have taken part in bullying when we were at school. We didn't know any better! Something to get a laugh from your peer group or to get your own back on someone who has done that to you but its harmful & can have a long lasting affect on someone without you knowing. Its just not nice.

The majority of people these days know what the effect on an individual can be and strive to make a positive effort not to bully, slander or intimidate their colleagues. Its called growing up & is a sign of maturity and understanding. Some however, never seem to learn this lesson and continue to bully, intimidate & manipulate throughout their careers.

There are a number of reasons why this occurs. Jealousy of what others are achieving, inadequacy in their own ability, trying to appear dominant in the workplace & trying to belittle the competition in order to win business. I'm sure these are just the tip of the bullying iceberg but they are all very poor traits in human nature I'm sure you will agree.

For those on the receiving end of this type of behaviour the effects can be devastating. There is so much media surrounding mental health, depression & suicide that we are all aware of the implications of being unhappy & we all probably know someone who is or has suffered from mental health issues. It shouldn't happen and although bullying isn't the only cause of these conditions it certainly is never going to help in any positive way.

There are different types of bully too.

1. Physical Bully - Unusual in the workplace but it does happen. Signs of a physical bully are hitting, kicking, pinching, spitting, tipping, Breaking someone's things deliberately or making hand gestures or mimicking someone's actions. Again, this is unusual but malicious harm is probably more common than you think and is difficult to prove unless the bully is caught in the act.
2. Verbal Bully - This is a very common type of bullying. Name calling, gossiping behind someone's back about them, teasing, intimidating, inappropriate sexual comments, homophobia, racism , making fun of physical appearance, disability & taunting. Unfortunately this happens in the workplace quite regularly and can become quite commonplace if the bully isn't stopped. Others fuel their behaviour by laughing or joining in. Maybe they aren't intending to be part of it and will say it was 'just a laugh' but if you are on the receiving end it can be so harmful.
3. Social Bullying - Becoming ever more popular in business as people try their best to tarnish another person or their competition in the quest to get the business. Lying and spreading rumours, Telling people that the competition uses unethical practices whilst in the process of doing so they are more unethical. Negatively commenting on social media & publicly putting someone down are all damaging to a person or brand.
4. Cyber bullying - This is the extreme as it can be very anonymous with the bully hiding behind the internet to harm someone. The effects can be extreme. Caroline Flack and many other stars are/were subject to this everyday & the results speak for themselves. Harmful texts & posts, online threats, spreading gossip and rumours. Disgusting. We have been subject to this when boosting posts on Facebook with people, usually middle age men strangely, feeling it appropriate to post negative comments & pictures of dogs excreting as we merely try to grow & get our brand a wider audience.

Having experienced bullying as mentioned above and also from competition trying to slander our name we feel compelled to write this. We are a dedicated team! We work hard & are trying our best on a daily basis to give a the best service we can & grow our business. It's a great time to be in the recruitment business but at the same time there is that constant negativity coming from external sources which is just draining on a personal level and as a business.

We are more than aware that we have made some silly mistakes along the way as we grow and learn but never have we pointed the finger and been negative about another person or organisation. We prefer to work hard and grow on our merits. We ask others to do the same but I'm sure that the leopards wont change their spots anytime soon & I'm sure the gossip and slander will continue in some shape or form.

If you are experiencing bullying of any form then we feel so much compassion for your situation. Its the worst feeling to have that constant anxiety. If its in the workplace its not just 9-5 that you feel it either. From the moment you wake to the moment you try and sleep the feeling is there niggling and eating away on the inside. Those that can rise above it are stronger than the bully. Good on you! They will get bored and find a weaker person to intimidate but for those who struggle daily hopefully you can make a change and remove yourself from the toxic environment.

Finally, to the bully. JUST STOP! You wouldn't like it & for whatever reason you feel it necessary there is someone who could pick holes in your life & make you feel that anxiety & low self esteem you cause. Lucky for you that person just chooses to be an adult and leave you alone.

Just be kind, maybe grow up a little bit, this isn't the school yard anymore. Don't get involved in the gossip and rumour mongering & put your effort into working on your own business.

Lets actually all try to be kind & make a positive difference to others.