Seek support when coping with workplace bullies

Tina VanderWal, The Olympian

Without a law against workplace bullying, what can employees do to protect themselves from potential abuse in the workplace?

I wish I could say that all you have to do is stand up to the bully and they will back down and everything will return to workplace paradise. Unfortunately, it is rarely that simple.
Standing up to a bully usually only increases their anger and their abusive treatment.
For state employees it is important to let management know that you are being bullied. Give management a chance to make things right. But I need to be honest with you, this can be risky.

“In 62 percent of the cases, when made aware of bullying, employers worsen the problem or simply do nothing,” according to a survey conducted by Zogby for the Workplace Bullying Institute. If management does listen to you, however, you have won a victory not only for yourself, but for future victims.

But before you do anything, I recommend that you seek the help of those skilled in dealing with this issue.

You need the support of both family and friends during this time. But you need more than that. Seek out organizations that know how to deal with workplace bullying.

Contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at its toll-free number 877-313-4455. You need their expertise and guidance to assist you through this situation. They have dealt with numerous bullying situations, know it is real, and also know the terrible toll that it can take on your health.

A portion of EAP’s advice to supervisors regarding workplace bullying is “Listen to your employee’s complaints, document the discussions, investigate, take appropriate action and establish a work environment that is proactive against bullying behavior. It is recommended that an EAP referral be given to both the alleged bully and the person victimized by the bullying behavior.”

Until I wrote my first column this year on workplace bullying, I didn’t know that there was a group of state employees working to stop the bullying in state government. The title of their group is Stop The Bullies. They are a grass-roots group of 64 employees who all have been bullied. It helps to share your story with others who have been bullied at work. If you would like to contact them, their e-mail address is stop thebullies@comcast.net

Contact the Workplace Bullying Institute (www.bullying institute.org) for information and guidance. Some of the helpful information you can find there includes “Three Steps Toward Reclaiming Your Dignity and Restoring Health”; “When You Dare to Challenge Goliath: The Stages You Can Expect to Go Through”; and “What to Do — Self-Education about Bullying.”

My best advice for those in a bullying situation is this: If you have complained to management about the situation and they have ignored your complaints, then if at all possible, get out of there! You have to understand that you are working in a toxic environment and continual exposure will have a negative effect on your health. Leave the situation and work for an employer that deserves your wonderful talents.

Yes, you can choose to stay and fight, which is definitely your right, but you have to consider what the toll will be on your health. Until a law is passed that will protect you from bullying, it might not be worth the cost.

Tina VanderWal is a human-resources specialist with the state and a columnist for The Olympian. She can be reached at tinav@wildblue.net.