top of page

Bullying in the Workplace

  • Occasionally, a simple misunderstanding or mis-communication can lead to concern about bullying. If this is the case, it can usually be cleared up with careful and very tactful communication. 

  • Intentional bullying not only happens in the workplace, but it happens more often than most people are willing to admit.

  • Workplace bullying

    • may significantly increase the uptake of sick-leave

    • often causes an increase in staff turnover, damaging the reputation of the business and discouraging higher quality candidates from applying for positions in the business

    • can have a devastating impact on the well-being of everyone 

    • can ruin many lives.

    • sometimes leads to formal complaints which must be taken very seriously as they may lead to legal action in extreme circumstances

There is no need for blame: True resolution is not about: being right or wrong, good or bad, a victim or a villain, winning or losing

david-clode-yLxQRYpuwqg-unsplash_edited.jpg

Truly effective solutions are about 

understanding relationship dynamics, moving forward, standing in our own power, taking responsibility 

This is how we resolve a bullying situation:

With bullying, individual support for those involved must be offered rather than mediation.

Working with "the bully"

When a person bullies another person, a subconscious stress has triggered that behaviour.

We:

  • Explore why this has been triggered

  • Help the person to take responsibility for their behaviour

  • Discover the belief that had created the  trigger

  • Release the trigger and replace this belief with a supportive belief that creates personal empowerment for this person and a recognition of their own value as a person

  • With the trigger released, this person  can then remain calm and does not feel the need to engage in bullying behaviour

  • We then create a new level of communication that respects everyone's needs

Working with "the victim"

When a person feels they are bullied, a subconscious stress has triggered that emotional reaction.

We:

  • Support this person with their feelings and provide the safety and opportunity to explore their reaction

  • Help this person to understand and appreciate why we each behave the way we do. This helps them to

    • move away from the belief that they are a victim​

    • accept responsibility for their own feelings and behaviours

    • NOT take responsibility for another person's feelings or behaviour

  • Identify the belief that has resulted in them handing their own power over to another person (the bully)

  • Replace this belief with a supportive belief that creates personal empowerment for this person and a recognition of their own value as a person

  • With the new belief and personal empowerment, this person  will then be calmer and will not automatically hand over their power when faced with a dominating personality

  • We then create a new level of communication that respects everyone's needs

This may sound like a lot to achieve, but big shifts in perception and attitude can happen relatively quickly, leading to results that equip those involved with the skill and experience to respond differently should a similar situation arise again. This means long-term success and a happier workplace. 

We succeed because:

We spend time with those employees who are unhappy at work, one-on-one where necessary

  • earning trust - we are impartial and confidential. We do not disclose information shared by employees with anyone else - including the 'boss' or business owner

  • listening - for some people, simply feeling heard can create a breakthrough 

  • helping - using a compassionate communication style we widen the unhappy staff member's perspective to see the person or situation they feel is causing their upset in a wider context, to bring understanding

Talk to us to discover how we may be able to support your business

lynda-hinton-n4qA_jWNExE-unsplash_edited.jpg
bottom of page