Workplace bullying comes in the form of:

• Verbal abuse.
• Offensive behaviors that are threatening, humiliating or intimidating.
• Work interference or sabotage that prevents work from getting done.

Workplace bullying can be by one person or by a “mob” (this generally includes peers of the offender or those that think that assisting in the bullying will gain them favor with the perpetrator).

Generally, “bullies” in the workplace are in high power positions or have the ability to influence working conditions for the employee. In most instances it is a supervisor and subordinate relation. However, it does not have to be a person in a power position that bullies another employee. Bullies can be the employee’s peer who is trying to gain favor, an employee who’s work may be subpar, an employee who feels insignificant or valueless. Bullies take actions to make others feel bad in the attempt to make themselves seem more important.

Some examples of common tactics used by workplace bullies are:

• Falsely accusing someone of errors the person didn’t actually make.
• Hostilely staring at an employee or nonverbal intimidation.
• Unjustly discounting the person’s thoughts or feelings in front of others.
• Using the “silent treatment.” Refusing to acknowledge the person or say hello or goodbye.
• Making up rules for specific people.
• Disregarding and discrediting satisfactory work.
• Harshly and constantly criticizing the person.
• Starting, or failing to stop, destructive rumors or gossip about the person.
• Encouraging people to turn against the person being tormented.
• Singling out and isolating one person from other co-workers, either socially or physically.
• Yelling, screaming or throwing tantrums in front of other colleagues to humiliate someone.

Donath Law, LLC has experience raising and resolving situations in which employees are being bullied in the workplace. While the laws have not been passed to protect most targets of bullying, there are creative alternatives to assist employees in protecting their employment and fighting back against bullies. Bullying may also fall under laws, among others, that protect against discrimination, sexual harassment, retaliation and breach of contract.

Some employees being bullied feel they have no option but to resign from their job. There are other options.

Don’t continue to be a victim! For more information or to find out how we can better assist you with your personal situation, contact Sheree Donath.