Bad News: Workplace Bullying Exists Good News: We Can All Do Something

By Bonnie Low-Kramen | August 18, 2020

Enough is enough, isn’t it? Today’s virtual workplace demands are pressured enough without additional angst caused by managers and staffers acting out their stress in the form of yelling, public humiliation, sexual harassment over Zoom, and nastygram emails.

This is about respect. And it is about disrespect. Workplace bullying simply cannot exist is a climate of respect. It only thrives in the poisonous air of a disrespectful culture.

In the pre-pandemic world, workplace bullying was a global epidemic. It still is. It just looks a little different now.

True examples of how to chase good people away –
• “Linda, you really should wear your hair down like you used to. And you should smile more. Looks like you have gained a little weight working at home.” Said to an assistant by a manager on Zoom

• “What makes you think we want your opinions? I don’t pay you to think. Just do what I tell you to do from now on.” Email from a manager to a staffer

• “Some leaders think you meddle too much in their work.” Written in a performance review. When asked for a specific example of “meddling,” the manager would not give one.

• An assistant made the mistake of not putting herself on “mute” on a conference call and was overheard complaining about a client. Fortunately, the client found it funny and of course, the assistant apologized. The assistant’s manager called a meeting later in the day and angrily called it a “moronic mistake that better not happen again.”

What we know is that stress and anxiety can bring out the worst in humans. However, the data shows that the most effective way to retain staff is to treat them with respect and dignity. The opposite is 100% true.

None of us thought that what started in March would still be so formidable in August, but here we are. Stress and worry abound about money and paying mortgage, rent, and medical bills, evictions, and businesses being in serious danger of closing. We have our kids trying to get an education, not to mention people getting sick every day. And it looks like this is our reality for a while, right?

This situation is still no excuse for disrespectful, passive/aggressive, and bad behaviors because everyone is under stress. We have no idea what some people are wrestling with every day. No one is exempt. Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for a reset.

So, what is a target to do? Silence is not the answer. Having a manager or a peer who talks down to you can create a miserable workplace and relationship, even if they are virtual. As an employee, you have options for dealing with such a situation, ranging from finding coping techniques to deal with the behaviors, confronting the bully directly, or documenting offensive behavior and taking your case to HR or your executive themselves.

The bottom line is that these issues can preoccupy us and stop us dead in our tracks in a paralysis of sorts. Bullying causes physical and emotional stress and creates an extremely toxic work environment. Let’s take a look at why we get caught in the workplace bullying cycle and examine some ways to break the cycle. Read More https://www.bonnielowkramen.com/2020/08/17/this-far-and-no-further-what-to-do-about-virtual-workplace-bullying/