You have probably heard about Pink Shirt Day or Anti Bullying Day; it is coming up on Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Pink Shirt Day is a day when people show support for anti-bullying by wearing pink shirts. Since its start in 2007, it has become a national day of anti-bullying across Canada and other countries. Pink Shirt Day and anti-bullying are often associated with kids in elementary school and high school, but the bullying does not stop in the schoolyard.
Being bullied can follow you far past the school grounds and into a workplace, and it can be just as devastating. Addressing workplace bullying can be a challenging and uncomfortable topic to discuss, which is why we’ve compiled some tips to assist you if you ever find yourself in such a situation.
Workplace bullying is defined as repeated or unwanted aggressive behavior towards a coworker, but it can take many different forms. It can look like intimidation, verbal abuse, being left out of staff functions, spreading rumors, or whispering behind someone’s back. When someone is being bullied at work, it can drastically affect their work performance and mental and physical health. It can cause the victim in the situation to experience stress, anxiety, depression, sleepless nights, and constant worrying about going to work.
One of the leading causes of workplace bullying is poor leadership. When strong leadership is not in place, staff will not feel comfortable taking their concerns to their superiors. They will feel like they cannot speak freely and confidently about their issues. They will often feel like they cannot speak up without the worry of judgment and or repercussions. They may also think that their concerns will not be taken seriously and that there will be no resolution to the situation. In some situations, where there is a lack of leadership or leaders who do not have an invested interest in their staff, they will often not notice signs of workplace bullying, which is essential for a leader to pick up on when the person being bullied may be too afraid to speak up. Suppose a staff member continuously seems to be bullying other staff members, and the issue is unresolved; it can lead to higher staff turnover, lower production, and decreased morale.
If you feel like you are the victim of workplace bullying or harassment, there are things you can try to do on your own to try and solve the issue before it gets worse, or before you take it to your superiors. You can try and talk to the person causing the bullying and let them know that their actions are unacceptable and that you would like it to stop. If you feel like you are not getting anywhere on your own, go to your superiors and tell them what is happening. You can also keep an updated journal detailing your interactions with the individual, including the date, time, and place the interaction took place. You deserve to be happy and safe in your work environment just as much as everyone else. It may not be an easy conversation, but you are worth it, and you will feel a sense of relief knowing that you have spoken up and stood up for yourself. The one thing you want to avoid is retaliating; this will only worsen the situation.
Workplace bullying is a serious issue that can’t be taken lightly. If you are experiencing any form of bullying, speak up and know that you are worth it. While most employers will try to create a safe and productive work environment for their staff, there are some workplaces where it is not always the case. If you feel your work environment can use some work in that department, take your concerns to your superior and see if you can make a difference.
Remember to Be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it. If you are needing support, you can:
• Contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support @ 250-395-4883.
• You can call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day @ 1-888-353-2273,
• Or you can call the Suicide Crisis Line at # 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Kristin Wells, CMHA Community Navigator