CAN HR PREVENT WORKPLACE BULLYING?

[Worklife Column, Manila Bulletin, September 2011]

Bullying causes a lot of stress and wasted energy for many people. Instead of focusing all efforts in doing their jobs well, the bullies and the bullied engage in emotionally draining social politics that could not possibly help make the company and its people prosper.

It is a real concern in the workplace. It lowers morale. It cripples productivity. It increases employee turnover. It is a major cause of employee resignations. That is why it makes sense for HR practitioners to bully-proof their companies or at least set policies and processes in place to deal with this issue.

HR practitioners are in charge of the overall welfare of employees. This includes developing a happy and enjoyable work environment. Yes, HR can and should prevent workplace bullying. We are in a unique position to positively influence the workplace through creative programs and policies.

A reader shares her bad experience against workplace bullying and asks for HR solutions to her problem. Let’s see how we can help her.

Good Day Madame!

I just want to ask what is the best thing to do in these situations:

-What if you have co-workers (group of boys) bullying you every day (ex. Throwing tissues at the work station). The superior can see what these boys are doing but he’s doing nothing about it.

-If you have co-workers, including an immediate superior, spreading rumors and gossip about you, that you are a hooker and a mistress. (The employee is not a hooker and not a mistress, actually, the girl is a Christian and never had a boyfriend and never had sex with anyone)

-Is it okay to file a case to these people who've been spreading malicious rumors?

Hope that you can site me HR solutions on this matter. Thank you and God Bless! --BB

My Response:

Thank you for emailing your work issues. Bullying in the workplace is a real issue for a lot of people as it affects not just the happiness of individuals but also the team's morale as a whole.

There are many ways of dealing with bullying at work. I wrote an article with excellent strategies against bullying for my column awhile back. Do check out my blog at http://hrclubonline.blogspot.com/2010/09/dealing-with-workplace-bullies.html.

If after using the strategies I mentioned to protect yourself against bullies, you still find yourself under attack. Then it may be time to use administrative actions and escalate it to your management.

Companies with structured human resources have policies and protocols in dealing with issues and grievances at work. The first thing you should do is check your Employee Handbook or Policy Manual. Does it state policies on employee conduct and culture? Does it include disciplinary actions for violations of policies? Does it have a section on how to report grievances? If it does, then put your handbook to good use and follow procedures and be guided accordingly. Employee Policies are there not just to protect the company, but more importantly, to guide and protect employees.

Next, try to gather your own evidence. Whether you plan to solve it on your own or escalate the matter, evidence will give you solid grounds for your complaint. Without evidence, the disciplinary board will have to deal with a he-said, she-said scenario which is difficult to deliberate on.

Normally, protocol will dictate that you deal with the problem amongst yourselves first. If you can't resolve it, talk to your immediate supervisor. But if this doesn't improve the situation or the immediate supervisor is the problem, then it would be best to talk to HR or the Boss of your immediate supervisor.

If you want to escalate it, simply follow your Employee Handbook on how to file grievances. Make sure that you are also in good graces with your HR and top management. If you are a valuable and hard-to-replace employee, these people will back you up or find immediate solutions to your problems.

But what if, your Employee Manual does not have any provision on bullying or worse, your company does not even have an employee manual? Well, you will then have to do it informally and maybe even suggest to top management to issue a memo or create a more comprehensive policy manual.

There are basically just five ways of dealing with workplace bullying issues:
You may quietly accept it, but this will eat away at your job satisfaction.
You may seek revenge, but this will worsen the situation.
You may speak up to the bully and hope to change your situation.
You may fight, get management involved to fix the situation.
Or you can resign, if you can be sure that doing so will give you better opportunities, benefits and peace of mind.

Whatever you decide, there are of course consequences to every action that you take. So just be prepared to handle the worse-case scenarios of each. Bullying in the workplace is a real concern for a lot of people. But if you learn how to deal with it without quitting right away, you will become a better, stronger and more successful person. May you have the strength and wisdom to do what is best for your situation. Good Luck!