Is Your Co-Worker a Bully?

Ever been humiliated in front of your co-workers? Ever had one of your workplace peers try to sabotage your presentation? Being picked on by female co-workers can feel like high school all over again.

But you’re not alone: Nearly 45 percent of U.S. workers say they’ve experienced workplace abuse, according to the Employee Law Alliance. Trying to excel in the so-called “man’s world” of business is hard enough without women keeping other women down.

Ready to fight back?

Make sure the offender is aware that you feel abused.  Report incidents to a manager and leave a paper-trail to document ongoing problems, suggests eHow.

To diffuse a harassing co-worker, simply take her aside, explain that you see what she’s doing and it needs to stop right now, says Women’s Health.

Leave the room if the abuse escalates, says ABC News, highlighting one worker who went so far as to record verbal abuse from a colleague.

The tragic death of Jodie Zebell was an apparent result of repetitive workplace bullying. The Healthy Workplace Bill, introduced in 17 states, would set guidelines for companies to protect employees from harassment.

Not sure what counts as workplace bullying? It’s anything from being sworn at, invalidly criticized and humiliated to being excessively monitored.

Bonus PINK Link: Step inside the mind of the office backstabber – and stop the bullying.

By Caroline Cox

“History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived,
but if faced with courage, need not be lived again.” Maya Angelou