Hear the word “bully,” and it probably conjures up childhood memories on the playground or at school. There is no doubt about it, bullying is traumatic, and most of us hope never to deal with it as adults. But, workplace bullies do exist. This behavior etches away at employee motivation, productivity, and fuels anxiety among team members. Today on the blog, find out the true cost of workplace bullying and how to deal with it.
What workplace bullying is and is not
Ever heard someone refer to another person as having a “strong personality?” Just because someone has a strong personality doesn’t necessarily make them a bully. Bullying is treating someone in a way that intentionally causes them harm while being fully aware of the behavior. A manager with a strong personality that gets the job done right isn’t necessarily a bully.
Who’s the Bully?
As you read this blog, you may already have someone in mind at your work that you would easily label as a bully. If not, then that person could be you. While leaders, management, and those with authority over others quite often are labeled as bullies, this unacceptable behavior also can be seen in co-workers.
What’s the answer?
It might seem easy just to fire the “bullish” manager or employee, but that shouldn’t always be the first option. Every office should implement strategies to ensure their employees’ physical and psychological well being while at work. Here are some ways that employers can achieve this goal.
Make the Right Hire
If you’re interviewing candidates for an open position, look for someone who is interpersonally competent, and that treats others respectfully. These qualities may be difficult to gauge in a short interview, which is why inviting the candidate into the office to interact with you and the team is a good idea. But, some candidates will automatically rub you the wrong way during their interview. Responding with snarky comments or exhibiting rude behavior while being interviewed is unacceptable, regardless of their qualifications.
Establish a Zero-Tolerance Policy
Just like schools, establish a zero-tolerance policy on workplace bullying. Outline what the repercussions would be if bullying occurs. Make sure that every employee in the office is aware of this policy and that they have a safe place and method of disclosing information that they might have been bullied. This policy should also be included in your new hire paperwork that is signed by any new team members that join your team.
Anti-Bullying Training Sessions for Employees
These training sessions provide examples of workplace bullying and prepare employees for handling the situation in the event they are bullied at work. Requiring each employee to complete this training reiterates that they understand the policy, and it sets the level of expectation for their behavior.
Establish a Code of Conduct
Hopefully, you already have a Code of Conduct in force at your office, but if you don’t, establish one as soon as possible. We all would like to think that adults should know how to act, but that isn’t always the case. Be clear about your expectations and what is or is not acceptable behavior in the workplace.
Utilize a Workplace Conflict Management System
You should have a system in place to handle these unfortunate circumstances. If someone is being bullied, do they know there is a way to express their concerns without repercussions or backlash? Will the circumstance be kept private, only between those directly involved and the manager handling the situation? Keep these factors in mind on how you will deal with bullying at your office.
You could do everything right and still end up with workplace bullying. Employers should not sweep it under the rug. While you can’t magically predict who may exhibit abrasive behavior, don’t ignore it when it happens. You do not have to wait until an official complaint is filed necessarily. Take action as soon as you learn about the situation.
Everyone has bad days from time to time, but treating others with disrespect is only going to hinder efforts of reaching the mission of your business. If you are dealing with workplace bullying or want to find out how to implement strategies to combat this all-too-common problem, contact Bryant Consultants by calling (877) 768-4799. Our small business coach and dental practice consultants can work with you and your team to resolve these issues and create a safe and respectable work environment.
