How to Deal With The Bully Boss

According to a recent US Workplace Bullying Institute survey, 65 million US workers are affected by workplace bullying.

Population-wise, that is almost one third of the country!

The definition of a workplace bully is - loosely speaking - anyone who makes your work life more difficult by contributing to or creating, a hostile work environment.

And workplace bullying is not necessarily aggressive, obvious bullying.

It can often include more subtle forms of bullying, such as, for example: purposeful exclusion from team meetings/activities; consistently taking credit for your work; disrupting or overloading you with work; purposely withholding information, and spreading false rumours and gossip.

The other interesting thing is that the person most likely to be responsible for bullying is in most cases, your direct manager, or ‘bully boss’.

Bully bosses are by far the most challenging workplace bullies to deal with because they are by definition, in a position of power over you.

The worst of them can make your life at work a living hell – so in the interests of improving workplace harmony throughout Australia, here are some of the most effective tips for dealing with a bully boss:

1. Speak to your co-workers

When you first notice the bullying, it is a good idea to broach some of the possible reasons for it with co-workers you can trust. Are you the only victim or is the boss bullying all of the employees? If you are the only one being bullied, is it because you aren’t doing your job properly, or is it something deeper? 

2. Don’t react to the bullying

Never be like a bully in response to the bullying. By being a good role model - helpful and efficient - you will give the boss less reason to be hostile, offensive, or intimidating. Should this strategy not work however, you need to move on to Step Three.

 3. Keep good documentation

Keep meticulous documentation of everything relating to the bullying incidents - such as emails or texts, dates, times, and detailed descriptions. If you want to stop the bullying you need to prove there has been a consistent pattern of bullying behaviour.

4. Consult Human Resources

When you have accumulated sufficient documentation, contact your HR representative to share the details with them. Remember that by putting in a thorough and irrefutable effort, you will show HR you really mean business - forcing them to take the situation seriously.

5. If all else fails – quit

If HR cannot implement the necessary strategies to control and eliminate the bullying, or find a way through the situation successfully, you are left with one other choice - to quit your position. Of course, in taking another, better job that does not reward or tolerate bullying behaviour, you will be happier and healthier in the long run. You will also be able to watch the inevitable self-destruction occurring at your old workplace from a safe position.

Lastly, for those at the end of their tether and considering leaving their job without the security of another job to go to – I would recommend thinking very carefully before doing so.

Although leaving in such a situation may be fully understandable, it is generally not recommended - unless your physical and mental health is in such a bad state that there is practically no alternative.

And always remember that if you are being bullied at work, and your employer isn’t doing anything about it - you owe it to yourself to do what you can to try and stop it.

The Australian Institute of Management in Western Australia is a 'thought leader' in leadership and management. The Institute encourages debate and reflection on leadership and management practice. 

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