Poonamjot Kaur Sidhu
Anyone who has spent some time in a corporate set up will vouch for the fact bullying is a bitter reality of the workplace ecosystem. While the dictionary meaning of bullying is, 'an act of using superior strength or influence as a way of intimidating someone so as to force them to do something,' several more behaviours can also be classified as bullying. It is important to be sensitized about bullying if one has to avoid the negative impact of this behaviour. Understanding workplace bullying: In a number of instances people are not able to gauge that they are being bullied or reprimanded. If you are being consistently and intentionally being put down publically even on the slightest of pretexts, so much so that you feel humiliated, intimidated, socially isolated and have started experiencing health issues, then it means that you are being bullied and not reprimanded. Workplace bullying is not necessarily done by your superior; your co-worker and in some instances by your subordinate can also be the bullies. It can be verbal, physical, written or digital in nature.
Some frequent instance, which an individual may conclude as bullying are:
Bullying in a nutshell is deliberate, constant and is done systematically. It is very necessary to recognise that you are being bullied and not merely pulled up for results so that you do not suffer silently as there are legal provisions against it which can be sought.
Stand up for yourself
If you are certain that you are being bullied then some measures that can be taken by you are:
Though not directly, bullying in aspect of mental agony caused at workplace is considered unlawful in India. There are legal interventions to fight this menace and should be sought if needed. Workplace bullying by no means should be accepted as it leaves long-term mental scars and impacts not just the individual but all stakeholders.
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