Our affiliate, The People Group, shared some interesting information on their blog describing how to identify when you are being bullied. These signs are from “You know you’re being bullied when…” by Dr. Gary Namie, Workplace Doctor and Founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute:

1. You attempt the obviously impossible task of doing a new job without training or time to learn new skills but that work is never good enough for the boss.

2. Surprise meetings are called by your boss with no results other than further humiliation.

3. Everything your tormenter does to you is arbitrary and capricious, working a personal agenda that undermines the employer’s legitimate business interests.

4. Others at work have been told to stop working, talking or socializing with you.

5. You constantly feel agitated and anxious, experiencing a sense of doom, waiting for bad things to happen.

6. No matter what you do, you are never left alone to do your job without interference.

7. People feel justified screaming or yelling at you in front of others, but you are punished if you scream back.

8. HR tells you that your harassment isn’t illegal, that you have to “work it out between yourselves.”

9. You finally, firmly confront your tormentor to stop the abusive conduct, you are accused of harassment.

10. You are shocked when accused of incompetence despite a history of objective excellence, typically by someone who cannot do your job.

11. Everyone – co-workers, senior bosses, HR – agrees (in person and orally) that your tormentor is a jerk, but there is nothing they will do about it (and deny saying what they said later when asked to support you).

12. Your request to transfer to an open position under another boss is mysteriously denied.

If this describes your situation, follow THIS LINK to information that will help you deal with a workplace bully.

Is it time to look for a job in an organization that supports and appreciates its workers? Join GreatPlaceJobs to find positions with award-winning organizations! Our premium members also receive a free copy of G.L. Hoffman’s ebook, Dig Your Job (a $9.99 value)!

Yesterday’s post suggested that our current economy may be ripe for bullies in the workplace. As promised, some tips on handling a workplace bully from Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com:

• Seek the advice of a trusted mentor who may have dealt with this situation before.
• If you can, confront the bully in a professional manner, but only if your physical safety isn’t threatened. Don’t sink to his or her level. Stay as calm as possible. Don’t yell or threaten. Often bullies are looking for this type of confrontation and it will encourage them to come back for more. Don’t cry or show weakness either. That’s usually what the bully is after in the first place.
• Don’t try to win over other people to your side. The way in which you handle the situation will allow them to make their own judgements.
• Don’t allow the bully to intimidate you or make you feel bad about yourself. You know your true worth. Don’t forget what that is.
• Do your job and do it well. The workplace bully wants you to fail and when you don’t he or she will be defeated.
• Make sure your superiors are aware of your work. Workplace bullies often try to spread the word that your are not doing your job well and will even go as far as to report the smallest infractions to your boss. Your actions will carry more weight than his or her words.
• Don’t allow the bully to isolate you from your colleagues. Keep up your workplace friendships.

Have you been dealing with a bully at work? How do you handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Is it time to look for a job in an organization that supports and appreciates its workers? Join GreatPlaceJobs to find positions with award-winning organizations! Our members also receive a free copy of G.L. Hoffman’s ebook, Dig Your Job (a $9.99 value)!

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a sure-fire way to avoid working for an abusive boss? Of course, we at GreatPlaceJobs believe that working for an award-winning company known for treating employees well is the best first step! Elvira Aletta offered some other “rules” on her recent post. Tips are from Elvira, commentary is my own:

Rule #1: How you are treated from ‘go’ is a good indicator of how you will be treated on the job.

I’ve written about the importance of looking for warning signs in the interview process. If there are red flags, for example, everyone in the office looks miserable, your reimbursement check is late or wrong or you witness an employee being treated badly during your visit, you can assume that things can only get worse! After all, everyone should be on his or her best behavior with a guest visiting for an interview. I understand that some people don’t believe that they have the option to turn down a job due to financial realities. However, you should recognize that you may put yourself in a bad spot if you take a job knowing it isn’t a good situation. If you quit, you will be looking for a diplomatic explanation for your departure and you’ll be asking if you “even need to add the job to your resume.” You get the idea.

Rule #2: Keep a healthy distance. You cannot be friends with your boss.

While you should make an effort to be friendly and cordial, don’t treat your boss as your confidante. Recognize that you each have a role to play – you as the employee and he or she as the supervisor. If push comes to shove, if the boss knows too much about your personal life, it is possible that it could hurt you.

Rule #3: You are neither all good nor all bad.

If you know that you generally do good work, but your boss has a problem with everything you produce and seems overly critical, it is possible that  “it’s not you.” Look in the mirror – are you doing good work? Don’t be overly self-critical just because your boss doesn’t like any of your work. Take a step back and evaluate the situation.

Rule #4: Keep open diplomacy among co-workers.

It is very important to have a solid working relationship with your colleagues.  They are more likely to be there for you if you are a team player and offer support in return. In fact, your ability to promote, communicate and connect your value to colleagues and superiors is more important than the actual quality of your work. If you don’t believe me, read this study from a Harvard and Duke professor explaining that personal feelings often carry more weight than competence in the business world. (Hat tip: Penelope Trunk)

Rule #5: Learn to define yourself by who are, not what you do. Or, “Don’t forget to have a life.”

Enough said!

Rule #6: Always remember you have options; quitting is only one of them.

Take the wheel of your career bus! Research your options and make an informed decision regarding what to do next. It’s up to you…No one is going to do it for you!

Miriam Salpeter
GreatPlaceJobs Career Expert
www.keppiecareers.com