Bullies at work - really?

Wow, I just finished reading an article from last Sunday's Detroit Free Press newspaper about workplace bullying.  I was bullied in elementary school, for no other reason but for being smaller than others, or too quiet or just plain minding my own business.  But those days are long gone for me, but unfortunately not for others.  I couldn't imagine being bullied at work.  I mean come on, I am there to enrich my life, make a difference and make money! 

Ironically in the midst of the massive campaigns against child and teen bullying  and cyber-bullying and violence - the exact same behaviors are occurring in workplaces.  Who would have thought, working parents now have to deal with making sure their kids are not victims of bullying as well as themselves!

According to the article "Bullies at work all too common" a CareerBuilder survey revealed 27% of workers admit to being bullied at work.  This bully behavior included:

• Being harshly criticized
• Being yelled at in front of other colleagues
• Having belittling comments made towards them
• Stealing credit for their work

After reading the article, I thought maybe I did know that these types of things are happening - I can say I have seen this type of behavior happen to others.  I just didn't put it in the bullying category, instead I put it in the a-hole category.  I then wonder are these so called adult bullys, the result of grown up bullies, or the victims of childhood bullies trying to seek retribution for having been bullied?  Who knows.  It's wrong either way.  

If you feel that you are being bullied document all incidents in detail and if feel that you can address the person who is doing the bullying, do so they may not know they are bullying you.  On the other hand, if you can clearly identify that the the person who is bullying you, knows it, doesn't care and dares you to tell someone; Still document the incidents in detail and run not walk to your Human Resources department to seek resolution.

Here are a couple resources available concerning how to handle bullying (child and adult):

• www.stopbullying.gov
• www.bullybusters.org
• www.workplacebullying.org 

   

Time to de-stress

Hello PowerSuiters!  Today, I felt like beating myself up in the ladies restroom, in efforts to get out of working a full day, like Jim Carey did in Liar, Liar - (which by the way has been coming on TV like 3 times a week these days!).  Juggling my job duties (which there are many), training my colleague, recruiting and interviewing for my replacement all while under the thumb of a really demanding boss (tomorrow, I will share a great article I found on the Internet about handling demanding bosses).   

Then, there's blogging(clearly you see, I am having issues staying focused on that), reading the latest book for my book club, volunteering with the American Cancer Society, and my swim class (this is a job in itself - whew!)

Last year, I briefly saw a psychotherapist to help me get a grip on all the stressors in my life.  While she told me all the things I pretty much already knew could help me (in the first 2 minutes of my first meeting I told her, she would NOT be prescribing me any drugs) like doing yoga and/or meditation, prioritizing things in my life and not overstretching myself, different breathing techniques and also something that I forgot the technical term for, but it consisted of clinching my eyes shut or my fists for intervals of time and releasing until I am more relaxed.  Does anyone know the term for that??  Anyway, all those things do work, when I have time to do it or remember to do it!   Although, I have not tried yoga yet - so guess I need to sign up for that once my swim class ends!

I also know of another resource, and I am a little embarrassed saying I have not used it!  EAP - most companies have an Employee Assistance Program that is FREE!  Employees can call a toll-free number or log on to the vendor's website and request reading materials on various topics, or find a therapist, support group, etc. 

I guess sometimes people (or me) know what to do, but won't make the time for themselves to get it together and take action.  So, don't be like me, use your resources or just extracurricular activities to help you (me) de-stress - there are lots out there, the Internet has everything!  I will look too and save myself a self-inflicted beat down!