It can be a minefield to navigate being bullied at work, but you MUST speak up for yourself

Workplace bullying can be bold, in your face, and aggressive. On the other hand, you could be the victim of subtle yet deeply damaging bullying.

Ultimately, being bullied at work can make you question everything about yourself, your quality of work and even your self-esteem. Let’s understand how to fight back.

Quick Read:

  • It’s essential to recognise the signs of bullying so you can take steps to protect yourself.
  • Being bullied at work can make you feel inadequate and ineffective at your job.
  • If the behaviour continues with no solution in sight, you may have to consider looking for other jobs.

Sign 1: Being treated differently

It may start with something small, like you notice your boss is warm and affectionate with a colleague, yet speaks to you in a sharp tone. Maybe you’ve realised that your co-worker gets to leave early every Friday, but you’re reprimanded if you’re 10 minutes late. If you notice that you’re being treated differently – you may be facing bullying. Consistent singling out is a telltale sign that you’re being bullied at work.

Sign 2: Being reprimanded in public

If your boss, or even other colleagues, tend to call you out or criticise you in public, this is a glaring red flag that things are not well. This type of discipline is rude, embarrassing, and unprofessional on their part. No one should be humiliated publicly, especially in a professional setting.

Sign 3: You’re being shouted at

Not acceptable! Shouting and any form of aggression is never okay at your workplace. Understandably, we all get a little frustrated occasionally, but verbal aggression is another hallmark of being bullied at work. This aggression can very quickly create a miserable and hostile work environment.

Workplace bullying

Sign 4: Making subtle threats against you

If your boss keeps talking about what happened to others who didn’t follow their instructions, such as, “Lebo had an attitude problem so she didn’t last long,” it’s a way to make you feel nervous and worried about your own job. This kind of pressure isn’t fair and it’s a form of subtle bullying.

Sign 5: Your workload is unrealistic

Being overloaded with work, especially more than your colleagues, is another form of bullying. You can start to feel like you’re being set up to fail, especially if your boss gives confusing instructions, inconsistent feedback and unrealistic deadlines. This is a tactic that bullies use to make their victims anxious and stressed.

Sign 6: Mocking you (but calling it “jokes”)

We all love a good laugh, especially when it makes the work day more pleasant. But constant teasing and mocking can quickly become bullying. If you feel humiliated or intimidated by the jokes or comments, it’s time to recognise that this is not just “office banter” but a form of harassment.

Sign 7: Being left out – deliberately

You’re not asking to be invited to every meeting or workshop, and certainly not if it’s unrelated to your direct work. But in any workplace, cliques and friendship groups can form. Some may exist within your own team and deliberately being excluded from team events and other socials can make you feel isolated and unmotivated.

Sign 8: You’re being micromanaged

Don’t let anyone tell you differently, micromanagement is a form of bullying. Every good manager will delegate tasks, supervise when needed, and then let go enough to trust their team to do their jobs without hovering over every detail. When every move you make is scrutinised, it’s easy to start doubting your skills. Constant corrections and nitpicking can wear down your confidence, making you second-guess even simple tasks.

Help at hand
  • Keep a record of incidents, including dates, times, what was said or done, and any witnesses.
  • You don’t have to handle things alone. Talk to a trusted colleague, HR, or a professional counsellor.
  • Know your rights! Get familiar with your company’s policies on workplace bullying and harassment.
  • Sometimes, addressing the behaviour directly with the bully can stop it, but only if you feel safe doing so.
  • If the bullying continues, report it to higher management or HR. Your wellbeing should always come first.

No person expects to be bullied at work. Bullying doesn’t just impact your work; it can also harm your mental and physical health. If you’re feeling unusually stressed and anxious, it’s important to take these signs seriously and tackle workplace bullying.

Images: Freepik