Workplace Bullying – Don’t Suffer In Silence

Adult bullying within the workplace is generally subtler than bullying you may have witnessed or experienced as a child. It is this which causes confusion, adults that have experienced childhood trauma and abuse are more likely to experience bully as an adult either within personal or workplace relationships.

Bullies are very clever manipulators and are often at the top of organisations or making their way up by mistreating people along the way. In boardrooms they can be charming and charismatic. This hides their true character which is weakness, low self- esteem and fear. Truly confident people do not need to belittle others.

Very often targets are too fearful to bring grievances and when they do they are often left alone, vulnerable which can lead to isolation, anxiety and depression.

UK employment law does not cover bullying specifically and in itself bullying is not illegal, although there may be aspects that could be legally described as harassment. Due to feelings of shame it can be extremely difficult for targets of bullying to come forward and tell somebody.

This includes telling HR departments and employers, it is often the case that even when targets come forward the person they tell isn’t a neutral party…and therefore is unable to be unbiased. It is for this reason that speaking to somebody outside of the situation is key to recovery.

Generally employers do not take responsibility to act, often don’t know how to and/or don’t want to believe the grievances or make excuses ie lots of stress in that department due to the re-structure.

Many people who have come to DABS for support to recover from Workplace Bullying have a history of domestic abuse, are people pleasers with low self-esteem..the pattern of abuse will continue until the target takes their power back and starts to take care of themselves first. Getting support as soon as possible is fundamental to ensure you start to recover.

For free and impartial advice regarding bullying and harassment in the workplace, contact Acas Helpline on 0300 123 1100.