Many people do not know that the law courts treat psychological damage as serious as physical damage. The term Personal Injury covers personal suffering of any kind, so if you feel that your mind has or is in serious harm by someone at work it is important to act against them. The best thing that you can do to help you with your case is involve a lawyer, such as someone like this Los Angeles personal injury attorney. Getting a lawyer can help with your case and help stop the mental abuse from happening in the workplace. It doesn’t matter where you live though, you will always be able to find one close to your home. Don’t feel shame or worry about involving a lawyer if you’re bullied at work either.
Furthermore, this issue it not limited to either men or women; bullying can affect both. But before taking legal action, there are some steps you could take to try and tackle the issue yourself first.
Bullied at Work? Communicate
In more minor cases, it is always a possibility that communication between yourself and the colleague in question is improvable to ease the tension. Try speaking to them about your concerns, see if they feel the same, and decide together what could be done.
Keep it professional, calm, and very simple to avoid making the matter worse. If this approach doesn’t work, it may be time to start thinking seriously about what you need to do.
Stand Your Ground
If you’re bullied at work, that person is probably targeting you as they think that you will give them the reaction they want. Most bullies enjoy the feeling of power they get from managing to intimidate others. Often they set out to do so as a result of an area in their own personal lives where they feel they have very little power. So, don’t give them the reaction they want.
Instead, stand your ground, appear as unmoved as possible, and most importantly stay calm. Remember their actions are coming from a place of vulnerability themselves and are not a reflection on you. Typically their mental abuse is specifically to hurt you and has no real grounds.
Record Events
Bullies can often be master manipulators; so changeable that they make you question your own thoughts and feelings. To avoid this confusion, write down the things they do that bother you. That way, when they’re being nice you can look back at when you’ve been bullied at work to remind yourself what they are capable of. It’s also a good idea to have a record of events in case you do ever need to take more serious action.
Report Being Bulled at Work
One of the most stressful parts about workplace bullying is worrying that the bully may be attempting to damage your reputation behind your back. Therefore, the fear is they are putting your job on the line. For this reason, it is important to report any issues as soon as possible to someone in charge; that way management is aware of the possibility that the bully is not be being truthful in their accusations.
Concluding Thoughts
Being bulled at work can cause severe psychological distress, so it is important to find solutions, even if you feel that you don’t have the courage or would like to avoid confrontation. If things reach a serious level and you don’t feel that you have the support of your colleagues, you can take legal action too.
Have You Been Bullied at Work?
Have you or someone you know been bullied at work? Also, what are some ways for companies to stop mental abuse in the workplace?
I have been bullied in the workplace by my boss , discriminated me and humiliated me front of other collegues she made me feel incapable of doing my job i was so passionate about.She also bullied others on the team too.
I reported her to head office and got my other colleagues to report her , then she left it took a lot of convincing to get the rest of the team to agree because they were scared. But after that our team was strong and we all worked really well together always positive and encouraging each other if we had a bad day.
Thanks for raising awareness x
Thanks for sharing!
Bullying is too important not to share about it! Thanks Lauren.
This is such a critical post for people to read! I have been in some of the most horrendous, toxic workplaces over my adult life.
The last one took the cake. I was a postmistress and the former individual was breaking in, putting things in people’s boxes at an attempt to make me look crazy, left a dead bird for me (proven), on and on. She is still pulling her antics to this very day. No one will deal with her because they are afraid of her. I was so ill by the time I left that job from CONSTANT stress…. it is never worth it!
Thank you for bringing awareness to a very real problem. I especially advise people to follow your advice in the section titled, “record events.” Manipulators can be masterminds at making you feel like the problem. Don’t allow it!
Excellent post!
Oh Holly! A dead bird?! Wow. The lengths bullies go to… Yes, record record record. Thanks for backing the words here and sharing your own situations to help others.
You are certainly welcome! You are correct – it’s amazing the lengths some people will go to for the darkness in their hearts. Protect yourself and be aware of what’s happening around you :)
Thank goodness not all of us are motivated by the joy of hurting others. I’m so glad you’re not in that unhealthy environment anymore, Holly.
You are so sweet. Thank you, Christy. I must say, so am I. My husband would make 3 of us! :) I hope for everyone in a toxic workplace (or home) to soon find a way to either mend it or move on!
That’s a great hope for others who are being hurt emotionally in the workplace, Holly. Wishing you a great rest of the day :)
There are often passive bullies who stand around watching a victim suffer at the hands of a bully and fail to stand up for the victim. Raising awareness, encouraging and empowering people to use their voice is commendable Christy.
The bystander effect you speak of needs to stop. Hugs xx
Yes, at a publication I worked at.
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope the bully was held accountable for their actions.
Ha, no, none of them did. But I got accepted to graduate school, so I turned in my requisite two-week notice. As fate would have it, I discovered (after I had submitted my notice) it lined up with the time when my co-workers and managers were all planning their holiday breaks, and expecting good ole Willow to pick up the slack in their absence (which none of them told me in advance about, anyway). The outcry and backlash that day…goodness. But I just smiled with true contentment for the first time since I started at that place.
You Go Girl! The Big Payback! High Five!
Yeah, I’m not usually that petty, but I have to admit I did feel certain glow of satisfaction when they realized I wouldn’t be there to pick up their slack anymore.
Proud of you. That’s what they get for trying to take advantage of hardworking women such as yourself. As my parents used to say, God don’t like Ugly.
Yep! And, oh yeah, that saying reminds me of my hometown… #nostalgia :-)
Lol. Both my parents were born in 1930 so they had many old School sayings. Those old time expressions still ring true.
laugh I heard it sometimes in the south, growing up.
fist bumps galore!
💪🤛🤜
I think the word “karma” could apply here, Willow! You ended up taking the high road and that’s the best one. Great to see you and DeBorah encouraging one another too xx
Abuse also comes from female supervisors. In one instance I was extremely ill but came to work anyway. The female supervisor berated me so badly in front of the other staff that I collapsed in the Galleries once again landing in the emergency room and was out from work for Five days.
I also witnessed and reported to our union representatives the many instances where white female supervisors terrorized Black and Muslim Women who were pregnant. Denying them to use the bathroom and worse.
Oh Yes the female supervisor who put me in the hospital was white.
So much for the so called women support system. Except that it did bind Women of color on the job together.
What you described happening is disgusting! The disrespect, racism, and sexism… Wow. I am sorry you went through that.
Sadly racism is ingrained into the American system. You can see that from the fact that there is a card carrying member of the KKK illegally Occupying the oval Office. Agent Orange sanctions these white supremacists of both genders to attack anyone who is not white. My story is small compared to what my pregnant African and Muslim Women coworkers went through. Even though New York State has very strict discrimination laws there is almost no way to enforce the laws so pregnant women of color caught pure hell. It’s a wonder that their babies came out healthy given the abuse the Mothers suffered.
A terrible situation all around.
It was messed up but I won’t let that episode take over my life. Can’t let the roadblocks define you.
It’s the roadblocks that make us stronger, really.
True. Those past days brought many Tears but I made up in my mind that I would not allow the bullying to break me. Given my personality and Army background after a while most People learned to leave me alone and mind their Business. Made me tougher.
I went through hell in my previous job at the Museum. All of the suggestions that you listed are good ones. I would add that if you belong to a Union speak with your Union Rep and if necessary file a grievance.
However be aware that if you are in a Male dominated profession your case either won’t get heard, you will be dismissed or worse case scenario get fired. The laws on the books in the United States are rarely enforced.
Last Year when I found myself once again in the emergency room I made the decision to take my early retirement and run.run.
It’s very common for Museum Security Officers to be assaulted by the Public and other employees. After ten years of abuse I had enough and I left.
Now I work part time at the Brooklyn Public Library.
Much better environment and atmosphere. Much safer especially for Women.
DeBorah, I didn’t realize that’s why you took early retirement. I thought it had to do with your health but not that it was related to bullying like that. When you talk about job positions that are more likely to have assaults, I’m also thinking about bus drivers. It’s terrible that you had to go through that. So wrong! I’m so glad you have a part-time job now where you feel safe.
Yes. Transit Workers have it tough also. They are constantly being assaulted. My heart goes out to Bus drivers and subway workers.
Too many Good People remain Silent. There were witnesses to what happened to me and to the abuse and mistreatment of the pregnant Women of color but very few stood up or spoke up.
People are more worried about keeping their jobs. One British woman stood up and spoke up against racism and discrimination. She was forced to resign.
Being punished for speaking up… That situation makes my heart hurt.
Well actually by the Labor laws there should not be retribution but it can and does happen. I saw Women of all races and ethnic groups just resign rather than continue going through hell.
They did so for their own mental health… I get that.
Yes. After a while you get tired of always being on the defensive. Ten years was enough for me. Now I’m more relaxed. Retirement meant that I could Exhale.
I have always read that you have a judicial system that protects, in a certain way, the abuses in the works. Instead here, to mention Venezuela, there is legislation on that but unfortunately it applies to us. It is well worth having knowledge about it. A good point for many workers who suffer such harassment.
Yes. I wrote a while back about the importance of knowing your legal rights where you live. You just never know when you might have to use that knowledge. Thanks for sharing about matters where you live. I’m in Canada. Bloggers connect!
Yes. that is what moves each one of us.
Connection is essential.
Fortunately, I have never been bullied when I was in the work force. It is so sad to hear that some kids who are bullied resort to suicide. So it starts early! Your advice for adults appears to be well thought out. If the person in charge is the bully and there is no one else to report it to, then sadly, a change of jobs might be the best thing to do in addition to taking legal action.
Oh Peggy, the suicides you mention are heart-breaking. The advice in this article for adults won’t always result in a positive conclusion but at least it provides some tools for someone who may feel despair. Thanks for being here xx
Christy, you chose the right topic…. I believe this article should be read by many as everyone here or there has been bullied either at their work place, collage or neighborhood.
Deeksha, your words mean a lot xx
Wonderful tips!
HUGS
Hardest place to stop it though 😞
True that.