Amanda Rose: What to do if your workmate is being bullied

If your workmate is being bullied by a colleague or boss, do not get emotional. Here is what to do instead.

If a colleague is being bullied at work, you need to be their objective support.

When someone is being bullied, they are usually not thinking straight and they are emotional so you can help by getting them to document everything and look at workplace procedures on bullying.

They can keep a log of dates and conversations – what was said, who was there and how they felt.

If they tried to fix the situation with the bully, they can follow up by email so they have got a record.

They should print the email out as well as saving it.

It does not mean they should go out of their way to make things happen so they can log it, but it makes sure they have a case if needed.

Bullying can include intimidation, threats, ridicule, insults and more. Picture: iStock

As their support person, you cannot be emotional.

You need to be the objective one and follow procedure and be a witness to activity and be the sounding board.

Help them decide whether the human resources department is helpful in their circumstance.

It can be the case where HR is on the side of the company and not the side of the person.

I only advise going to HR once you have a case and a very solid case and therefore HR has to listen to you.

Before assuming they are being bullied, your colleague should politely point out to the other person what they did and why they didn’t like it.

If they discuss it and the other person takes it on board, they are not a bully.

It may just be a miscommunication or that they had a bad day.

Amanda Rose recommends helping a bullied colleague by being their objective support. Picture: Supplied

If your colleague is being bullied, be with them when they go to the boss.

If it’s the boss that’s bullying them, my tip is to build alliances around the person and then go to the boss’ boss.

Bullying can include intimidation, threats, ridicule, insults, belittling, discrimination – it’s quite extensive and common.

Workplaces are cracking down on bullying but if the bully is in the high ranks, they are in trouble and should start looking for another job.

Just remember that the next job is a fresh start so there is no need to mention the bully again.

It’s like a bad relationship – you don’t talk about your ex to your next boyfriend or girlfriend. Bringing that up is only going to make them feel worse.

Never go into an interview saying “I left my last job because I was bullied”.

Simply say “I am looking for something more in line with my brand, I am looking forward to a new opportunity.”

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every Monday.

Got a question? Send it to [e-mail]

MORE NEWS

Ten hot holiday deals you can’t ignore

Hemsworth’s new Netflix movie to film in Australia

New warning as Aussie parents still ‘want a tan’

Originally published as Amanda Rose: What to do if your workmate is being bullied