You’re Paid to Work, Not to Endure Verbal Abuse
Charles Butler
Licensed HECM Advisor NMLS# 2262315 ?? | Passionate Nonprofit Leader ?? | Advocate for Community ?? Empowerment and Financial Literacy ??| Experienced Project Manager ??
You’re Paid to Work, Not to Endure Verbal Abuse
As adults, most of us don’t have to deal with the same kind of bullying and verbal abuse we might have faced as kids, but this kind of abuse does happen in the workplace fairly regularly. More than 65 million Americans have been affected by bullying at work.
Why Do People Abuse Others in the Workplace?
An abuser often has a group of friends who may peg him or her on or who serve as witnesses to the abuse. These people will often laugh and try to make the abused person feel like the verbal abuse was all a joke that they shouldn’t be so sensitive about. But sometimes abusers will wait until they are alone with their victim so there is no proof of the abuse.
Bullying can and often do rise to the level of harassment or creating a hostile work environment, which can be documented and presented as a formal complaint to a superior or to human resources.
How to Deal with Verbal Abuse at Work:
1. Recognize that what is happening to you is not normal, and it is abuse. Don’t say “oh, she’s just having a bad day†or “he has a bad temper†to excuse the behavior.
2. Begin by trying to talk to the abusive person about their behavior. They may laugh it off, or they may take you seriously.
3. Document what’s been happening if you can so it doesn’t become a he said, she said battle.
4. Talk to your manager, and if he or she doesn't defuse the situation then you may have to go to Human Resources or higher up.
What are some general tips for the workplace?
1. ENCOURAGE everyone at the workplace to act towards others in a respectful and professional manner.
2. HAVE a workplace policy in place that includes a reporting system.
3. EDUCATE everyone that bullying is a serious matter.
4. EDUCATE everyone about what is considered bullying, and whom they can go to for help.
5. TREAT all complaints seriously, and deal with complaints promptly and confidentially.
6. TRAIN supervisors and managers in how to deal with complaints and potential situations. Encourage them to address situations promptly whether or not a formal complaint has been filed.
HAVE an impartial third party help with the resolution, if necessary.
DO NOT
DO NOT IGNORE any potential problems.
DO NOT DELAY resolution. Act as soon as possible
Remember any type of bullying is not okay.
Crossroads Opportunity
Charles Butler
Founder
Strengthening and Promoting Awareness