Dealing with Workplace Bullying

Bullying is something no one should have to deal with…EVER! While we often associate bullying with childhood, the reality is that bullies can follow people throughout their entire lives, impacting the performance, and culture of workplaces.

While conflicts in the workplace are natural, there’s a difference between misunderstandings and consistent abuse.

Although it’s important for employees to stand up for themselves, and seek assistance when dealing with bullies, HR managers and business leaders also play a role.

Direct line managers, supervisors, and executives also need to implement strategies to ensure they’re creating a supportive, respectful company culture.

Here are some tips to overcoming bullying in the workplace.

Defining Workplace Bullying: Identifying the Signs

To overcome bullying in the workspace, business leaders and their employees first need to recognize the signs. Bullying can appear in a range of forms, from name calling, to the deliberate isolation of specific employees by other individuals or groups.

The Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) gives the concept a clear definition. It says bullying is any repeated, harmful mistreatment of one or more people by one or more perpetrators.

Workplace bullying can happen both offline and online, particularly in today’s world of hybrid and remote work. It can also include:

• Name calling or abusive language
• Ignoring, isolating, or excluding team members
• Belittling or making fun of an employee
• Scapegoating or blaming other employees for issues
• Manipulation or coercion
• Spreading rumors about an employee
• Aggressive or violent behavior

Even business leaders can be perpetrators of bullying, when they set their employees up to fail, disregard them, or overwhelm them with menial tasks.

Workplace bullying is extremely common, with 30% of Americans saying they experience this issue. Unfortunately, the side effects can be disastrous for both businesses and individuals alike. Consistent bullying can cause stress, ill health, and burnout for employees.

It also harms team productivity, and increases a company’s chance of talent turnover, leading to significant skill gaps and problems with long-term performance.

Handling Workplace Bullying: Global Factors

Workplace bullying is an issue that arises all over the world. While the negative impact it has on businesses and employees is consistent wherever you are, the solutions companies and team members can use to deal with bullying vary depending on location.

In the US, workplace bullying is addressed through various channels, including legal recourse. While there are no specific federal laws against bullying, many US companies still adopt anti-bullying policies to create a safe and inclusive workspace.

Additionally, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission shares guidelines team leaders can use to address workplace harassment and bullying.

The UK and Australian governments have both implemented anti-bullying legislation, such as the Equality Act in the UK, and the Fair Work Act in Australia. In these regions, organizations are encouraged to implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies, outlining unacceptable behaviors, reporting procedures, and consequences for perpetrators.

Employees are also encouraged to deliver training and awareness programs, to educate employees about the effects of workplace bullying and how to recognize it.

Effective Strategies for Handling Workplace Bullying

Though there are different regulations and legal solutions in place for workplace bullying depending on where you are in the world, business leaders can still experiment with a range of universally effective strategies for mitigation, no matter their location.

Some of the best ways to combat workplace bullying include:

1. Establish and Share Clear Policies

First, it’s important to develop and communicate clear anti-bullying policies for the entire workforce. These policies should outline examples of unacceptable behaviors, as well as the potential consequences for perpetrators.

Ensure team members understand which reporting mechanisms are in place to ensure they can seek out assistance if they feel harassed by another team member. All employees should have access to accessible, confidential reporting mechanisms, to help them seek out help without fear.

2. Promote a Respectful, Inclusive Culture

Today’s most innovative companies are already investing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, designed to create equality and respect between team members. This is important at a time when 76% of job seekers and employees believe DEI initiatives are crucial.

Promoting a culture of respect and inclusion in the workplace helps to minimize the risk of bullying. Team members should be encouraged to embrace the diverse characteristics of their coworkers, and be reminded that harassing behavior will not be tolerated. Leaders should set examples, by consistently treating team members with dignity.

3. Invest in Training and Education

Investing in educational programs in the workspace isn’t just crucial to give employees access to new technical skills or improve workplace engagement. It can also be a valuable way to promote bonds between team members, and hone soft skills.

Consider investing in educational resources that focus on teaching valuable communication, collaboration, and cooperation skills. Provide team members with educational resources to help them understand the effects of bullying, and what they can do to recognize, address, and even prevent the issue.

4. Respond to Reports Correctly

Simply ensuring employees in the workplace can report instances of bullying isn’t enough. Companies also need to be willing to act rapidly when an employee is facing harassment. All reports issued by team members should be investigated thoroughly, promptly, and impartially.

The consequences for perpetrators should be significant, but also consistent and fair, based on the nature of the situation. Additionally, business leaders should ensure support is available to victims following the event. This could include offering counselling, mediation, or coaching sessions.

5. Stay Vigilant

Unfortunately, even as business leaders continue to invest in initiatives to make their companies more welcoming and supportive to employees, bullying is still an issue. In today’s world of hybrid and remote work, it can be even harder to spot problems, particularly when harassment happens online, or through video meetings.

To stay on top of the problem, managers and business leaders need to be vigilant about monitoring the workplace environment. Pay attention to the behaviors of employees, investigate instances of severe stress and burnout, and constantly promote team bonding.

Workplace bullying is unfortunately a global, persistent issue, that requires attention from both employees, and business leaders. Addressing instances of bullying effectively isn’t just the key to creating a more attractive company culture.

It’s also important to ensuring employees can feel engaged and productive at work, and helps to reduce the risk of talent turnover. The right initiatives can even help to make your business more appealing to active and passive job seekers.

Nailing an interview is an art that extends beyond just saying the right words. The way you carry yourself, your subtle movements, and maintaining eye contact can send volumes of information to your interviewer. After all, it’s said that a whopping 55% of the cues we send during a conversation stem from body language.

As interviewers engage with candidates, be it face-to-face or through a virtual platform, they’re not just hearing your answers; they’re also meticulously observing you to gather insights about your personality, mindset, and attributes. If your hand gestures and posture aren’t in sync with your words, your message might lose its impact. And let’s be honest, during a high-stress scenario like an interview, it’s all too easy for underlying nerves to manifest themselves in your body language, potentially jeopardizing the impression you’re striving to make.

So, the golden question is – how do you seamlessly weave together words and body language to project the right message? Stay tuned as we delve into this intriguing aspect of interview success.

Body Language: Unraveling the Silent Power of Communication

Over the years, countless studies have delved into the nuanced world of nonverbal communication. While results vary, a common consensus is that a staggering 70 to 93% of all communication is nonverbal. Quite a revelation, isn’t it?

One pivotal piece of research that has stood the test of time was spearheaded by Dr. Albert Mehrabian in the 1960s. His objective was to understand how people reacted to words and phrases when paired with specific gestures and facial expressions. Through a series of tests, Dr. Mehrabian unveiled that body language and tone of voice played a massive role in how subjects interpreted the speaker’s intentions and emotions.

Dr. Mehrabian concluded his findings into a fascinating theory: the way we interpret messages is influenced less by the words themselves and more by the speaker’s inflection and body language. He posited that when deciphering messages, a mere 7% is based on the verbal content, while 38% hinges on vocal tone, and a whopping 55% is driven by visual cues, including body language.

The Power of Body Language in Job Interviews

In a job interview, your primary objective should be to resonate with the hiring manager. Your task? Persuade them that you’re not only a perfect fit for their team due to your skills and expertise, but that your character, personality, and attitude align with their corporate culture.

It’s a given that what you say during a job interview is crucial, but the way you convey your messages can dramatically sway a potential employer’s perception of you. Even small nuances, like a firm handshake, can tip the scales in your favor when it comes to creating a compelling first impression.

When used correctly, body language can:

• Craft a striking first impression: How you present yourself, from your attire to your posture, combined with the energy your body language exudes, can etch a memorable image in employers’ minds. This can significantly bolster your chances of landing that coveted job offer.
• Build rapport: Body language tactics such as maintaining eye contact, flashing a genuine smile, and subtly mimicking your interviewer’s behaviors can lay the groundwork for a harmonious connection, enhancing the overall interview dynamic.
• Exude confidence: Irrespective of the nerves that many candidates may experience during an interview, hiring managers are on the lookout for signs of self-assuredness. Your body language serves as a silent testament to your belief in your skills and capabilities.
• Professionalism: Negative body language cues, such as restless fidgeting, wandering gaze, or lack of eye contact, can dent your perceived professionalism and dependability. This, in turn, can make it challenging for hiring managers to envision you as part of their team.
• Radiate enthusiasm: Body language can be a potent tool to convey your eagerness for the role at hand. Hand gestures can express your zest and passion, making you a more attractive prospect to potential employers by showcasing your commitment to the job.

Savvy use of body language can also serve as a nonverbal signal to hiring managers that you’re actively listening and absorbing their input, enhancing the level of engagement during your interview.

Key Elements of Body Language to Ace Your Job Interviews

In the hustle to prepare for an interview, the significance of body language can sometimes be cast into the shadows. Candidates often direct their energy towards crafting articulate responses, not realizing that the vehicle for those words – their body language – plays a pivotal role in whether their message hits the mark.

Maintaining constant awareness of your facial expressions, tone, and body language can be challenging. However, several elements of nonverbal communication can be honed to enhance your chances of interview triumph. As you prep for your next interview, contemplate the following:

1.Facial Expressions:

Our facial expressions can be silent tell-tales of our thoughts and emotions. We inherently scrutinize the faces of our conversational counterparts to gauge the emotion behind their words. Practice in front of a mirror and identify any facial signals that might express negativity, such as frustration or boredom. Strive to maintain a neutral, confident, and engaged expression throughout the interview. A focused demeanor when fielding questions, punctuated by timely smiles, conveys your enthusiasm and fosters rapport.

2.Posture and Body Positioning:

An upright posture is a visual shorthand for confidence, a critical element in making a strong impression. Be mindful of your posture, whether you’re striding into the interview room, sitting in front of a camera, or rising to greet your interviewers. Maintain a straight back, relaxed shoulders, and an engaged posture to project interest and professionalism. Monitor any changes in your posture throughout the interview. A subtle lean towards the speaker when a question is posed signals active listening and full attention.

3.Gestures:

Your hand movements can heavily influence the outcome of an interview. Simple actions like keeping your arms uncrossed communicate openness and sincerity. Expressive hand gestures can portray your passion and eagerness, making you appear more animated. However, be mindful of subconscious fidgeting such as twiddling with pens or clasping your hands, which can make you appear nervous.

4.Eye Contact:

Arguably the most crucial facet of nonverbal communication, eye contact is a delicate balancing act. Regular eye contact conveys active listening, authenticity, and openness. However, overdoing it may lead to discomfort. If multiple interviewers are present, ensure you distribute your eye contact among them. Engage directly with whoever addresses you, but refrain from prolonged gaze.

5.Tone of Voice:

While not conventionally linked with body language, your tone plays a critical role in nonverbal communication. Pay heed to how you say things. A steady, assured, and confident voice can fortify the bond with your interviewer. Be mindful of your pitch and volume – a monotone voice may signal disinterest, while a loud or high-pitched tone might be interpreted as nervousness.

6.Appearance:

Last but not least, your personal presentation is crucial for job interview success. Whether for a virtual or in-person interview, a professional dress code is imperative. Display a well-groomed appearance as a disheveled look might indicate a lack of attention to detail or commitment to the job.

Mastering the Nonverbal: Effective Body Language for Interviews

The subtle nuances of body language often carry more weight in a successful interview than most candidates realize. Meticulously cultivating a confident posture, employing strategic eye contact, and expressing your passion and assurance can give you a significant edge over a multitude of other applicants.

Should you have any concerns that your body language may not be conveying the right impression, consider implementing some practice sessions. You can do this by rehearsing in front of the mirror, conducting mock interviews with friends or family, or engaging with your recruitment team for practice runs. This way, you can refine your non-verbal cues to best echo your abilities, potential, and commitment to the role at hand.