Bully Harassment

Most of you believe that bullying occurs only on the playgrounds of primary schools. In a sense, almost everyone will have a reason to believe that bullying stops after grade school or at least, high school. However, many may be shocked to learn that a certain degree of bullying also occurs in the supposedly highly professional and matured environment such as the workplace.

Definition

Bullying basically is an act of either a non-physical or physical form of violence over another person. Bullying at work is a form of employee harassment and should not be tolerated in any work environment. Bully harassment at work may be done by a relatively larger person or a more senior or superior-ranked employee over a relatively smaller, junior or lower-ranked co-worker. Bully harassment may be seen as a simple problem that can be solved by both the bully and the harassed, but if not properly addressed, it can cause increased tension, which may lead to grave workplace violence. For the harassed, it can cause emotional and physical stress, affecting his or her work performance.

Dealing with bullies

If one believes that he or she is being bullied, the first thing that to do is to not be affected but to hold his or her ground. Furthermore, the bullied co-worker should not return the hostility and stay professional at all times. The harassed employee should also confront the bully but in a calm and professional manner should address the situation. If possible, a superior authority should be alerted. For the administrator’s part, one should constantly remind the workforce that bullying, as with any other form of harassment, is not tolerated in their workplace.