Signs a Colleague is being Bullied
When you see someone being bullied it's important to try and stop it as this will help to eliminate bullying from the workplace. This article shows you what signs to look for so that you can easily determine whether or not a colleague is being bullied.
Bullying is sometimes difficult to detect as it's disguised as harmless banter or done in private. Before you take any action it's good to know if someone is really being bullied. The following are signs that will show you if a colleague is being bullied:
Isolation:
One of the signs you need to look out for is when a colleague is continually being isolated. Bullies often try to single out their victim and encourage others to isolate them too. They may not be invited to events or ignored totally when they are invited.
Change in behavior:
Bullying takes its toll on the victim and there are a number of changes in their behaviour that you may notice. They may be taking more absences from work and may be nervous for no reason. They may also suffer from depression as a result of being bullied.
Overworked:
If the bully is someone with authority they may overwhelm their victim with work. You may notice a colleague always has much more work to do than yourself. Being overworked can make them feel stressed and lose confidence as they can't meet deadlines.
Undermined:
Your colleague may be undermined constantly. Keep your eyes and ears open and notice whether this is happening. Any offensive behaviour towards or sarcastic comments that hurt their confidence could indicate that your colleague is being bullied.
Criticism:
Some bullies do not hide in order to target their victim and often make a public spectacle of the victim. They may be constantly shouting or making threats which can intimidate the victim. Verbal abuse could indicate that a colleague is being bullied.
Gossip:
Bullies often spread malicious gossip about the victim. The person's reputation and self-confidence can be in tatters and they may find it difficult to remain productive and motivated. Gossip can be used to turn others against the victim and bully them further.
Bullying is a serious problem and not one that you should ignore. The above are some of the signs that you will notice when a colleague is being bullied. By better understanding the signs of bullying you can be more effective in helping them out.
