Posted by bluedog on March 10, 2003, at 10:46:23
In reply to How do you deal with workplace bullying?, posted by Alara on March 10, 2003, at 5:29:52
Hi Alara
I really feel for you!!!
I have been bullied in the workplace. The sooner you act the less impact it is going to have on your health. Here's my tips for dealing with bullying in the workplace:-
1. Buy yourself a little diary and record the date, time and circumstances of EVERY bulling incident no matter how petty it may seem to you. Lots of petty incidents can add up to one big case. Record each incident as SOON as possible after the incident while it is still fresh in your mind. Be an absolute perfectionist in keeping your diary up to date but DO NOT let the perpertrators know that you are keeping a diary. You need to take them by surprise when you have built up a case against them.
2. As you live in Australia I would ring up the ACTU Bullying helpline for more tips and advice. The telephone number in Australia is 1300 362 223.
3. If you have a Union in your industry become a member ASAP. They can provide you with invaluable support and can even provide you with professional representation if you decide to take the next step of lodging a formal complaint with your senior management or with your Head Office. Your employer actually has a legal obligation to protect you from bullying.
4. If the bullying is affecting your health RUN to your doctor each time you are bullied and descibe in detail what has happened and the symptoms you are experiencing as a result of the bulling eg anxiety,stress,depression, paranoia etc etc. Medical evidence and backup is absolutely essential if you decide to go all the way and lodge a formal complaint or a workers compensation claim.
5. Here's a link to some info on bullying produced by Australia's largest public sector union ..the CPSU:-
http://www.cpsucsa.asn.au/Ezines/dnotes/worktips.htm
6. Here's some general links on bullying that will assist you greatly in understanding the process and dynamics of bulling and also provides tips on how to protect yourself:-
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/amibeing.htm
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/bully.htm
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/standup.htm
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/harass.htm
http://www.successunlimited.co.uk/bully/serial.htm7. Don't let them get to you as hard as this sounds. TAKE COMFORT from the fact that you are building up a case against your bullies which will eventually slam dunk them.
BELIEVE me...I took the above steps and I succeeded in getting bullying from my management to stop almost instantly when they were confronted with the overwhelming written and medical evidence I had against them. In fact they went from being exrtremely smug to becoming frightened of legal actin and completely crumbled under the weight of evidence I had against them almost immediately. They were completely flabergasted that I had such detailed records of their behaviour and this took them completely by surprise.
Be patient, be fastidious and be smarter than your bullies to stop them in their tracks.
Hope the above helps a little.
Thinking of you and let me know how you go.
My warmest regards
bluedog
poster:bluedog
thread:207679
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030308/msgs/207717.html