Breaking the Silence: Confronting Workplace Bullying
Today, I would like to address something very important yet often unspoken issue that affects many of us—workplace bullying… As a coach and middle-aged woman with my share of experiences, I've seen bullying in various forms, shapes and no, they are not just in schools, but sadly in professional environments as well.
When we enter the workplace, we generally expect a safe space where we can perform at our best, build friendships, learn, and engage in respectful discussions about improvement and growth. Unfortunately, this is not always the reality. Instead, some find themselves facing bullying from those who wear a polished exterior—sharp suits, sleek shoes, and a seemingly professional appearance. Yet, beneath this mask, they may perpetuate intimidation and negativity, often hiding in plain sight during meetings or work lunches.
I have encountered a range of situations that exemplify this behaviour, including comments like, "You look prettier when you are quiet”, ”Nobody cares who you are or what you have done”, having people talking over my voice as I was explaining something in a work meeting to ignoring me completely. Oh well! I could go on — but that is not the point. What I am trying to explain is that, I know and I understand how horrible it can be. Comments like these can penetrate deeply, impacting not just our morale but also our productivity and passion for our work, and even worse impact our personal life and mental health.
Usually, work bullies were bullied as kids, as we have seen many times, the bullied sadly becomes the bully or they were ignored as kids and were seeking for attention and found a way to get that attention by being mean to others and ¨stand out. None of this is your fault… we need to make ourselves responsible for our behaviours, so do bullies. That is for them to solve, don’t engage.
It’s essential to recognise that a supportive and respectful workplace is critical for our well-being and success. Here are some ways we can combat workplace bullying (no, we are not letting them get us people!!!) we are going to set the difference:
Acknowledge and Address It: If you witness bullying or experience it yourself, recognise the behaviour, no one is going to blame you if you break down in tears or wanting to draw an invisible line from some people (you are human, first of all) and don’t hesitate to report it to HR or a mentor. Speaking up is the first step toward change!
Foster a Culture of Support and Empathy: Encourage your colleagues and create a community of support. Celebrate each other's successes, and stand together against negativity and ¨bad vibes¨. Having a circle of trust or the so called ¨work besties¨ can make the difference, trust me I don’t know what I would have done without some of my ex-colleagues, now dear friends.
Promote Open Communication: Leverage open lines of communication to navigate challenges. Sharing your experiences will help others understanding and strengthens team connections
Lead by Example: This, dear reader, is a very important matter. Set the example, treat other like you want to be treated as cheesy as it might sound. As leaders or individuals in a position of influence, set the tone for a respectful work culture. Your behaviour can inspire others to follow!
Together, we have the power to reshape our workplaces into environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered. Let's take a stand against bullying and prioritise kindness, respect, and collaboration in our professional lives!!
Thank you for being a part of this important conversation. Together, we can speak out and make lasting change in our workplaces. If you are experiencing some unpleasant situation at work and want to find ways to overcome it, lets have a chat!
