Hi I’m Genovieve Relationship Solutions Counsellor in Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. I’m writing this article alongside others in the coming weeks to help those of us out there that are struggling with current relationships, specifically those in the work place.
The topic this week is recognising if we are the ‘one’ or ‘identify another’ that is the victim of Bullying, Conflict due to being severly Stressed, Depressed or Illness. Counselling is just one of the procedures to rectify the effects of the bullying on a victim.
What is workplace bullying?
Bullying is usually seen as acts or verbal comments that could ‘mentally’ hurt or isolate a person in the workplace. Sometimes, bullying can involve pessimistic, and harmful physical contact as well. Bullying usually involves repeated incidents or a pattern of behaviour that is planned to intimidate, offend, demean or humiliate a particular person or group of people. It has also been described as the claim of power through aggression.
Is bullying a workplace issue?
Currently there is more being promoted in the workplace against this issue, health and safety legislation in the U.K now will protect those that report and disclose the bullying. Here in the U.K we have specific legislations including “psychological harassment” go to the legislation on workplace https://www.gov.uk/workplace-bullying-and-harassment here it includes all the categories which I will mention in the next section below. Please Note: Employers have a general duty to protect employees from risks at work. This duty can mean both physical harm and mental health. Many employers choose to address the issue of bullying as both physical and mental harm this if not addressed can “cost” an organization thousands of pounds.
In general, there will be differences in opinion and sometimes conflicts at work can sometimes commence with stress and illness. However, behaviour that is unreasonable, offends or harms any person should not be tolerated.
What are examples of bullying?
While bullying is a form of aggression, the actions can be both obvious and subtle. It is important to note that the following is not a checklist, nor does it mention all forms of bullying. This list is included as a way of showing some of the ways bullying may happen in a workplace. Also remember that bullying is usually considered to be a pattern of behaviour where one or more incidents will help show that bullying is taking place.
Examples include:
- spreading malicious rumors, gossip, or innuendo that is not true
- excluding or isolating someone socially
- intimidating a person
- undermining or deliberately impeding a person’s work
- physically abusing or threatening abuse
- removing areas of responsibilities without cause
- constantly changing work guidelines
- establishing impossible deadlines that will set up the individual to fail
- withholding necessary information or purposefully giving the wrong information
- making jokes that are ‘obviously offensive’ by spoken word or e-mail
- intruding on a person’s privacy by pestering, spying or stalking
- assigning unreasonable duties or workload which are unfavorable to one person (in a way that creates unnecessary pressure)
- under work – creating a feeling of uselessness
- yelling or using profanity
- criticising a person persistently or constantly
- belittling a person’s opinions
- unwarranted (or undeserved) punishment
- blocking applications for training, leave or promotion
- tampering with a person’s personal belongings or work equipment.
It is sometimes hard to know if bullying is happening at the workplace. Many studies acknowledge that there is a “fine line” between strong management and bullying. Comments that are objective and are intended to provide constructive feedback are not usually considered bullying, but rather are intended to assist the employee with their work.
If you are not sure an action or statement could be considered bullying, you can use the “reasonable person” test. Would most people consider the action unacceptable?
How can bullying affect an individual?
People who are the targets of bullying may experience a range of effects. These reactions include:
- shock or anger
- feelings of frustration and/or helplessness
- increased sense of vulnerability and loss of confidence
- physical symptoms such as: inability to sleep ,loss of appetite
- psychosomatic symptoms such as stomach pains, headaches, panic attacks or anxiety, especially about going to work
- family tension and stress
- inability to concentrate, and low morale and productivity.
How can bullying affect the workplace?
Bullying affects the overall “health” of an organization. An “unhealthy” workplace can have many effects. In general these include:
- increased absenteeism
- increased turnover
- increased stress
- increased costs for employee assistance programs (EAPs), recruitment, etc.
- increased risk for accidents / incidents
- decreased productivity and motivation
- decreased morale
- reduced corporate image and customer confidence, and
- poorer customer service.
COMING NEXT …
What can you do if you think you are being bullied?
TO READ MORE GO TO : http://thechoicetochange.com/blog/