What is the best way to deal with a bully at work?

Question

Last year, I was a victim of a well-known work bully. She is a boss, and she rules by instilling fear. Everyone at this place knows she is a bully. She picks out people, scrutinises them and puts them on a "development plan" which she monitors until she gets bored and gives up or gets rid of them. Last year, she gave me a lot of stress by scrutinizing me when I was having family problems (bereavement). She offered me counselling. All I needed was to be left alone for a bit but she made me think my job was on the line and gave me a development plan, which meant spending a lot of time with a "mentor" to deal with petty issues which I was more than capable of dealing with myself. She systematically picks off people and puts them onto such "development plans". She demeans people and humiliates them. The problem is, she does the big boss's dirty work for him. What can we do?!?

Answer 1

First of all you need to rise above it, don't let it be evident that she's getting the better of you or undermining you in any shape or form. She's obviously a power junkie who's very insecure, a common trait amongst all bullies, in the playground or in the workplace.
I realise there must be times when you just feel like shoving her "development plans" up her autocratic ar*e! However she's probably getting some perverse 'kick' out of humiliating and degrading you and other employees. It also sounds to me that her dictatorial behaviour is habitual, in which case, contact current or previous work colleagues and write individual letters to your head office.
Another option would be to seek legal advice, contact a Solicitor specialising in employment law, discuss the matter with them and they can advise you on the best way to deal with the situation.
Failing that, punch the BIT*H in the face and walk out!!
Best of Luck

Answer 2

That's a tough one. Any way you could transfer out of there into another department? If that can't work then I would suggest one of two things. First, if you can, kill her with kindness. Be so sweet and accommodating that she gets tired of it and leaves you alone. Maybe you could then tell someone like another boss and have back up to support your claims. Another thing could be to look at her like dust on your desk...Make her that important. I mean, say and do only the bare minimum with her and then think of it as you giving HER permission to talk to you. Pretend like you have the upper hand and make her seem unimportant in your mind. Don't make that too obvious because it might make her angry and fire you. Or you could always quit. I guess that was more than two things. Good luck

Answer 3

Hello, the company you work for will have a harassment and grievance procedure which includes bullying at work. You should have received this with your contract of employment or within your contract of employment. You should read carefully about your company's policy on harassment and grievance procedures and implement them with the associated person or department at your work place, if this happens to be the boss mentioned then you can go above there head to the next level of management, it will tell you this in the company's harassment and grievance procedure. Once you have started the procedure a short investigation will take place, so make sure you have dates and times witnesses and if possible statements of people who have been bullied or have witnessed your bullying at your place of work. If your present work colleagues are unwilling to help you or are to afraid to do so try contacting ex work colleagues that may have left due to being bullied or were dismissed unfairly by the mentioned boss and obtain written statements from them. There are quite a few web sites that you can obtain very helpful information from and who will work for you on your behalf to help get your problem solved. Do a google search for ACAS or EMPLOYMENT LAW. Hope this helps you out. Steve W.

Answer 4

bullys! they are great, challenge them and they crumble, i have dealt with a woman who was like this, pretty much exact situation. We had a meeting one day and i pretty much told her about the way she acted towards me and how i felt about everything - even called her a b*tch - she crumbled, i got moved into a better role with an increase in pay!
After i did this i found out that the area manager had spoken to her on several occasions about these things and had had major troubles in the past!

Answer 5

Just do what u are being paid 4. In other words do your job right & u will never hear a peep from her. If she has personal and non work related issues than you need to speak to H R personnal or ur boss' boss to let them know what is going on. If not one finger is pointed on ur work then u will have a winning case.

Answer 6

I agree with tastthompson, I was a legal secretary and dealt with employment law for years. You need to make a note of any incidents where you feel intimidated or bullied. You will need witnesses so gather as much support as you can and ask people if they will speak for you if it goes to a tribunal. Document as much evidence as you can, make sure you make a detailed note of every incident and anyone who witnesses it. Make your own personal diary of day to day events. Try & email her as much as possible to deal with issues so you have her responses on paper as solid proof. Be reasonable at all times so she has nothing to use against you. Ask for a transfer to another department, but make sure this is documented via email. If they deny you this and you have enough evidence you can show you have been reasonable & tried every possibility to get away from this woman who is bullying you. Be clever, get the evidence and then nail the *****. The law will be on your side, go to an employment tribunal - this is easily accessed for individuals - try your local citizens advice, they should be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck

Answer 7

I have dealt with a similar situation. I documented all incidents with dates and times. After collecting several incidents and reports from witnesses. I reported it to his manager and since I did not get a suitable response. I reported to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). EEO investigated and now this supervisor is on a Performance Improvement Plan. I hope this helps

Answer 8

Document EVERYTHING you do. If you take a poop at 10:12 Am, write it down. Whatever she says, write it down, and let her see you doing that. That will put HER on notice. Also, make her give you feedback on EVERYTHING you do. That will nip her crap in the bud.

In the meantime, find a new job. Life is too short to work for an azzhole.

Answer 9

It sounds like its time to find a better job. who knows you might even make more money and be alot happier.

I had a bully boss that picked on me untill one day i had enought

I ask my boss if i could speak to him in his office.

When he closed the door, I let him have it . i told him if you spent more time on tell us when we did a good job, then always trying find things we did wrong, you would get more thing done and if you dont like the way I am working you just let me know and i will leave. His jaw just dropped he didn,t say a word and i went back to work and finished the day.
The next day he was alot nicer the all of us. I thought I was going to get fired But I didn"t.
A few months later he moved to another store yea.

Answer 10

When she pushes, push back! STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! Go to her boss and let them know what's happening. When all else fails, find a new, better job and DON'T PUT UP WITH BULLIES!