Ways to Deal with Emotional Abuse in the Workplace
Abuse is not a subject most people associate with the workplace. Unfortunately, it happens more often than people realize. One glaring example is bullying and it happens a lot in the workplace. There are other forms of abuse like rude, threatening comments and excluding employees/colleagues from important information. There are actually many forms abuse can take in the work environment. Yelling, intimidating posture and language, and even some degrees of physical violence.
The question isn't whether workplace abuse exists, because it does, the question is what can employees do tocopewith it?
Manager
Speak to a manager or someone in charge about the abusive behavior. If possible have eyewitnesses or written statements. Sometimes if more than one person comes forward, something can be done about it sooner. The other reason you want to have as many witnesses as possible is so that the abuse does not get written off as an "isolated incident". If the abuse is only happening to one person, then witnesses can be really crucial to the validity of the claim. Unfortunately, some companies take the stand that if two employees are having issues, then they need to figure out how to resolve it themselves. This is why you want witnesses.
If the abuser is the manager, then go over the manager's head to their boss. If necessary, take it the corporate level. Never let your manager abuse you just because they are in management. In fact, being in management gives them absolutely no excuse for being abusive! You are not trapped or in a bind just because they are your boss. The boss is a very bad title to hold as an abusive person because once they are exposed, their professional reputation is on the line.
Human resources
Go to your company's human resources department and file a formal complaint. This is not "tattling" or being a crybaby either. No one deserves to be abused by anyone at home or in the workplace. If one complaint does not do the trick, then file as many are as needed to make things happen. An investigation into the matter will be required and the abuser just might lose their job!
Stand up for yourself
This is one of the best things you can do for yourself. You are a worthwhile human being and do not have to put up with abuse from anyone. This is not suggesting to get into a fist fight with the abuser, simply make it clear that their nonsense is a waste of your time. They will either get the picture that you will not put up with their immature nonsense or you will have to stand up for yourself everyday until they do get it through their head.
Find a new job
Once you have exhausted all other solutions and nothing has worked, then it might be best to search for a new job. You deserve to have a job where you do not have to be subjected to abusive behavior. This is not letting them "win", this is simple self preservation. You go to work to earn a paycheck, not to be abused.
If you are being abused at work by a coworker or even your boss, then it is time to stand up and expose them. They can only abuse people that will allow it. It is not your fault that they are abusive, it is your fault if you put up with it. You might be afraid of them or afraid of losing your job, and that is what their goal is; to make you feel bad and perhaps even helpless. You must realize that you are by no means helpless in the situation! You can go over their heads and report the abuse. You can also learn how to stand up for yourself and let them know that you have better things to do at work than put up with their garbage.
