How do you deal with bullies at work?

Question

What is your approach?
What have you learned that works best?
Is it best to bully back?
Does being a nice guy make you a door mat?
Do you have to be mean back?

Answer 1

1. My approach is to immediately put it into the hands of professionals who are hired to deal with bullies. Tell your manager. Call Human Resources. If necessary, call the Police.

2. I've learned this: Don't play with them and don't tolerate the bullying.

3. No. It's not best to bullyl back. Bullying back changes YOU. It turns you into the exaxt type of person you don't like. Instead, take positive, constructive steps and insist on helping to make this world a better place.

4. Being a nice person doesn't automatically make you a door mat any more than being a bully protects you from being bullied. Where possible, ALWAYS be nice, first. But realize that you are on planet Earth. So, you have to be prepared to protect yourself. And the best way to do that is NOT by bullying but, rather, by turning to the professionals who are payed to protect you.

5. Again, as mentioned in my reply above, you don't have to be mean back. Why would you want to be like the people who've caused you so much stress that you've had to take time out of your life to write about it. Any of us can be mean. That's nothing. You don't want to be like that. Be something much, much, much, much better, ok?

Keep strong. Don't fear. And keep positive.

Linkedin Recruiter

Answer 2

There is a very thin line between being bullied and being a nice guy, I think the best is be a friendly bloke but draw the line when it comes to self respect and the job itself, for example when someone start a joke that is to much physical (touching your head, pushing you to the floor) or humiliate you in front of others ( comments about your appearence) tell him straight to the face stop it or **** off or Shut up .
You have to be assertive and do not tolerate this kind of behaviour ,you got to fight with these bullies, if you need to go to your manager just keep in mind that there are always people with higher position than your bullies

Answer 3

I got this from a website I saw before:
If you are dealing with a workplace bully:

* 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.

Answer 4

I guess it depends on the person. Sometimes being a bully back works, sometimes it doesn't. It just depends.

Being extra nice alot of times makes you look to be a suck up and the "bully" will do what they want with you cause they know you ain't gonna do anything about it.

I guess what you CAN do is... turn to this "bully" and ask if they got "any" last night. If they say "yes" then it probably wasn't as good as they wanted it.

Answer 5

I don't think retaliation is a good idea... Unless you are good at it? If it is not in your nature to actually be a bully, then I don't suggest it. It will almost always backfire and make you look like the idiot.

These people really have it down to a specific art form... They will counter your every attempt to thwart their sh*it... and it never seems that they ever get into trouble or called out on their bad behavior. It is a science! I am consistently amazed by them...

Some people are just that way and therefore have made it their lifes work to be incendeary trouble makers that have learned probably early on how to use it to their advantage to get what they want. They usually have management positions and always work the least and get paid the most...

Anytime I ever had a job like that... I always ended up walking out because I have rage issues and my way of dealing with fuc*kwads... was never tactfully or through that clever premeditated kind of sneak tactic sh*it...

I am honest and open and I am who and what I am... I feel that if they should be able to be as*sholes and it be that obvious and no one is willing to call them out on it, that can actually do anything about it to stop it... Then I should have the right to punch them in the mouth! And everyone knows you can't do that... so, I always end up quitting directly after giving them a tongue lashing that is always worth it and always devistating!

I have been known to sever heads clean off with my tongue! lol... THAT is my talent! I am your best friend and your worst nightmare if you piss me off! and through carefull deductive observation... I always do it to them rather publically. using nothing but the hard cold truth of each and every fault in their entire psyche and nature.

But... Unfortunately. If they remain in employment and you leave because of them, they win!

It is a problem in my life... I havent the time or patience for it and it always get's me into trouble and over looked for the jobs that I know I am always better at. They too know you are better... and that is why they do it. No one like that ever bothers with someone they are not threatened by.

I think it is a class they teach in college. "How to suceed as a complete and total as*shole in the workplace 101."

Answer 6

I never knew that they had work bullies thats interesting I think you confront them because they are to old to be bullying people and at the same time you deserve your respect so dont kiss up to this person dont even be nice to this person I wouldnt say be mean but yeah kinda of be mean let him know two can play that game

Answer 7

If you stick with doing your job without confrontation you are the winner. These fools that want to start BS are the ones who will end up out the door. Just ignore them and try to get on with your job. If it is a boss issue that can not be ignored then speak to the supervisor. If it is a labour board issue then go to a supervisor. If you choose to deal with the person who is causing problems try not to do it on company time. Companies usually can not be bothered with conflict unless it effects them in the way of a law suit.

Answer 8

I confront them in front of co-workers. "Have I done something to offend you? Because you seem upset with me for some reason." Use a commanding tone, but not an angry tone. Then stand there and let them bluster. They are embarrassed for having been confronted in front of everyone, yet I said nothing offensive or bully-ish. I have communicated that I am not going to tolerate their behavior toward me. And I have spoken for everyone else by doing it in front of everyone else. Chances are the bully will back off.

Answer 9

use different approaches to different persons. There is no single solution. empowering yourself through reading and be yourself, not a door mat for sure.

Answer 10

You could alwaze play practical jokes & not take credit 4 Them. I find its best not to alow this person(s) to get to You, but that doesn't alwaze werk. to better answer I'd need more info. such as an actuall example of an instence of bullying