Jul 13, 2011, 02:46 pm
Bullys are everwhere, I have only just started working in aged care and spent alot of time in the private sector in various industries and it (Bullying) is everywhere. Bullys are everywhere. The system is in place to fight these sort of people but it takes some moral fortitude and documentation.
Firstly every work place MUST have an anti bullying policy, get hold of it, start to document everything that happens. Get a diary and start writing in it. note who was there at the time, what time & shift it was, be meticulous in your documentation. Try not to be alone with these people if possible.
You go through their internal procedures and if that doesn't fix the problem, then you go to the proper authorities, every time we walk away from a job and allow a bully a WIN, you are part of the problem and are handing them other victims. They will continue till they are stopped, make no doubt about that.
BULLYING IS AGAINST THE LAW and GOSSIPING IS A FORM OF BULLYING and not something you should put up with. but they are cunning people, bullys that is, which is why you have to have the diary, be meticilous with your information on what happens, remain calm and factual during the process.Everytime the do something, irrespective of how subtle, advise your supervisor or theirs, note that down who you told and what happened in your diary.
They rely on people being too scared and ignorant of the process to keep on with their tactics.
I was being bullyed at my last office job and I had to print out the anti bullying policy of the company and show my boss what bullying was and he then realised that this woman was doing all that the policy said was bullying. When I left I made a detailed informal complaint about her in detail to my head office in my exit interview and she is now being counselled. I am not sure what else has happened to her but it pulled her up somewhat and made things better for the other workers there. Some times the supervisors have no idea what bullying is and you may have to educate them on what is.
If you are so fearful and stressed, go to a doctor explain what is happening. having a proffessional on your side will help you. Document all of this. You can't be sacked for making a complaint. Not for the next couple of years anyway unless the libs get re elected in 2013.
You do have the power to make a difference, even if it doesn't feel that way. if everyone just feels they can't make a difference or feel powerless then the bullys will keep on bullying and nothing will change. It is we the people that have to change things.