Bullying isn't limited to the school playground. It happens in the "grown-up" world too and in all types of workplaces. I myself have experienced it in the fashion industry a handful of times. From jealousy fueled backstabbing and character assassinating to framing and gaslighting. Working in fashion probably has a massive thing to do with it- it's a bitchy industry. You definitely have to grow a thick skin or risk being miserable in your day to day work. However, even with a thick skin and a positive attitude, things can become too much. Admittedly, after nine months of working for a brand, I decided to quit as my passion for the work was being affected by one staff members behaviour towards me. It's easy to quit and be done with a job but sometimes it's not possible with bills to pay and no immediate new job to walk into. I'd only ever advise leaving a job with no notice if you're financially able and your mental health is being affected by the workplace environment. Besides that one occasion, I have stuck through workplace bullying and toxic work environments and now know of ways to deal with it and cope. Here's some of them;
Call the bully out on their behaviour
My advice is to always do this outside of work or after work hours, its the most professional way of doing things and means if anything turns angry, it can be handled without it distracting you away from work or getting you in any trouble. Don't make accusations but do say what occasions have made you feel like you're being mistreated and try and stay calm when doing so. Don't get upset or angry and try to speak clearly and stay rational with your thoughts and words.
Take the issue to someone who can deal with it for you
If the step above fails and nothing is resolved then take the issue to someone in HR, but bare in mind for HR to do anything, you will need proof of bulling and even then they may just advise that managers deal with the issue. So your next/alternative step is to ask a manager or the boss to talk to the person you're having issues with. One thing I chose to do before doing this was writing down every occasion where I felt I was being bullied and took that to them with the dates and times it happened. It proved to work well in backing up how I was feeling and meant I had a record of the incidents if I did need future proof of it not being dealt with appropriately. In my experience, after doing all this, the manager/boss will talk to the person you're having issues with and then talk to you both together to try and resolve things.
Leave those issues at work and don't go home talking about them
A habit I've made in the past was coming home with my problems. The rule of not bringing issues home can be applied in most situations in life. I'm a strong believer that a home is a sacred place so once problems outside of home come into that place, it can be difficult to get them out. Where workplace bullying is concerned, try not to speak of it in your home often as it'll become a topic that follows you around and is brought up often out of habit and association. Cleanse and detox your work mind out of your downtime by creating a routine to close off those stresses- listen to a calming soundtrack or read a book while you're travelling home, get out of your work clothes as soon as you get home, make at least two after work plans a week but most importantly go to sleep with a clear mind so you don't develop workplace anxiety.
Not sure if your workplace is toxic or if there's bullying? Ask yourself these questions;
1. Do you dread going to work?
2. Do employees come and go?
3. Is there more gossip than open conversations?
4. Do certain employees and managers disregard rules and get away with it?
5. Have you ever witnessed reoccurring aggressive or bullish behaviour amongst coworkers?
If you answered yes to more than three of these questions then your workplace is toxic and you may be experiencing bullying. Workplace bullying and toxic work environments won't change without people speaking up. Issues like these can destroy companies in the long run and affect us mentally and physically more than school bullying ever has. Hopefully, some of the tips above may help you.
Stand up for others
The saying 'see it, say it, sorted' can be applied here. I've stuck to doing this many of times in school, friendship groups and in the workplace and it proves to work. When it's not you being bullied it can be easy to ignore it when you see it and mind your own business as some may tell you to do, however, if your workplace is a small team of people then addressing things you notice that can be considered bullying can be essential in getting back a good teamwork flow and creating allies. One must lead by example in my opinion and that example is to make sure no one is being made to feel unwanted or unwelcome just so others can keep their jobs or work their way up. Your workplace is not a sports field- there is no competition.
Not sure if your workplace is toxic or if there's bullying? Ask yourself these questions;
1. Do you dread going to work?
2. Do employees come and go?
3. Is there more gossip than open conversations?
4. Do certain employees and managers disregard rules and get away with it?
5. Have you ever witnessed reoccurring aggressive or bullish behaviour amongst coworkers?
If you answered yes to more than three of these questions then your workplace is toxic and you may be experiencing bullying. Workplace bullying and toxic work environments won't change without people speaking up. Issues like these can destroy companies in the long run and affect us mentally and physically more than school bullying ever has. Hopefully, some of the tips above may help you.
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