Dealing with an Office Bully

Rudeness in the workplace can be the cause of significant stress. Not only are you spending valuable work time worrying about the problem, but you’re even considering not coming in to work to avoid the instigator. Workplace bullying is bad for you and bad for the company. Eventually, something’s got to give.

As an individual, your options are:

• do nothing and wait for management’s supposed efforts to take effect;
• talk to HR about whether this person’s behavior rises to the level of harassment, and decide if you want to initiate a formal complaint if it does;
• explain to your manager how the situation is affecting you. Unfortunately, it sounds like you and others have already been down this last road without success.

You indicate you’re not alone in feeling frustrated by this person’s actions. Before you file a complaint—or hurt your own status by missing work or becoming less productive—you may want to try meeting as a group with your manager. In your conversation, stick strictly to the facts and use specific examples. Make it clear that your goal isn’t to get anyone fired, but to create a pleasant work environment where all employees are respected and are able to focus on their jobs.

Managers take note: Surveys show that as many as forty percent of those workers who have been treated rudely leave their jobs because of it. Can you afford to lose even one worker because of rude behavior?

Source: Post, Peter, "Etiquette at Work," Boston Globe

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