How To Respond To Bullies And Insults At Work

How To Respond To Bullies And Insults At Work

One positive benefit of the Pandemic that some may have overlooked: Working remotely may have put you out of direct day-to-day contact with a bully. Whether that bully is a boss or a coworker, not having to deal with the anger, snubs, pouts, or direct insults reduces daily stress significantly.

1. 79% people say they have either experienced or witnessed bullying at work, here’s what happens:
2. They regularly get undermined in their work. (60%)
3. They are victims of malicious rumors. (30%)
4. They receive aggressive texts, emails, or phone calls. (23%)
5. They remain silent. They don’t report the bullying. (49%)
6. Nearly half (47%) will quit their job within a year or less if forced

to deal with a bully.

With the bullies, you lose if you play the part of victim. Here are 4 samples that you can use if you come across someone that is bullying you at work.

1. Use Body Language to End an Insulting Conversation: Look bored. Yawn. Wave the person away with a flip of your hand.

2. Use Self-Disparaging Humor

3. Side-Step Invasive Questions, Or, you can use humor

4. Ask for Serious Feedback, Point-Blank: Some people bury their barbs in double meanings, sarcasm, teasing. When you recognize an intent to hurt, identify it and surface it.

Remember that you do have choices. Respond in the above acceptable ways. And if the bullying continues, speak up. Report it to the appropriate authority to get help in stopping the stress.

Crossroads Opportunity

Charles Butler

Founder

Strengthening and Promoting Awareness

crossroadsopportunity.org

#crossroadsopportunity