Tips for Employees Dealing with Work Place
Harassment and Bullying
Dealing with an allegation of workplace bullying and harassment is challenging and requires a careful approach if you are to also take care of yourself in the process.
What to do if this is a stressful time for you as a manager or as a worker:
• Understand what your reactions are: Many people feel a mixture of shock, rage, resentment and distress for example. Examine how you are feeling and how you are reacting. Acknowledge for yourself that this is a stressful time for you. Seek appropriate counseling if your feelings impact on your work or your daily living.
• Get advice from Human Resources: The law, processes and procedures are vital here and you need to get the best advice from your Human Resource department. Try to get as much in writing from them as possible.
• If you are the manager being accused get support from your manager: You are an employee of your organization and you have a right to be supported by the structures at work as well as other employees. If you are an employee obtain information about work place support and seek guidance from your professional body or representatives.
• Be careful about what you divulge at work: Do not divulge too much information about the grievance to any one in your work place who is not party to sorting the issue out, as gossip will start to spread and this could become even more unpleasant for you. However seek out appropriate and reliable structures of support and guidance outside of work if need be to relieve the stress and relieve the intensity of the situation, but try to keep it as confidential as possible.
Things you can do now: Plan your strategy of getting through the situation; make a list of ways to take care of yourself and to deal with the feelings which arise in you.