Bullying At Work: Playground bullies grow up and become work place bullies. In the UK, the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union in surveying its members found one third considered bullying a problem in their workplace. UK's Staffordshire University in 1994 found 78% of a sample of 1,137 employees had witnessed bullying and 51% had experienced it.

What is bullying?

	Humiliation and ridicule
	Unjustifiable criticism
	Undermining confidence
	Imposing excessive workloads
	Imposing unattainable standards or deadlines
	Taking credit for others’ work
	Removing responsibilities
	Giving menial tasks
	Demoting
	Refusing training or other opportunities
	Threatening, abusing, teasing, playing practical jokes

Effects include: stress, poor performance, low morale, poor working relationships, loss of temper, loss of confidence, higher sickness absence, heavier drinking, heavier smoking, high turnover

Recognising Bullies: Bullies tend to have the following characteristics:

	Jekyll & Hyde nature - vicious in private, charming in front of witnesses;
	Convincing, compulsive liars
	Use lots of charm when others are present
	Display a great deal of self-assuredness to mask their insecurity
	Excel at deception
	Exhibit controlling behavior
	Display a compulsive need to criticize

The first stage should be raising the problem with the bully - many people do not realize the effect their behavior has and will stop. However there are many occasions when the victim is not able to deal with the bully directly and needs help. Make a complaint. Follow the procedure if there is one, if not go to a senior manager.

Make a diary of when and what treatment you have suffered. Record your emotions at the time. Go to your doctor and ensure there is a record of any effects on your health. if an employer has hard facts to work with then it is far more likely that your complaint will be taken seriously.

If you are a victim of bullying, we recommend that you seek professional advice before you make any decisions.
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