You don't have to accept bullying in the workplace

What would you do if you faced repeated intimidation — and even threats — at work? What would you say if a boss were spreading negative rumors about you, or if a co-worker continually messed with your personal belongings?

These are examples of bullying in the workplace. And if you face a situation like this at your own job, you don’t have to put up with it.

According to a popular presentation given at the 2014 CWA Mobility Leadership Conference in Orlando, here are some actions to take if you’re being bullied in the office:

• Recognize that you are not the source of the problem — your bully is.
• Keep a diary detailing the nature of the bullying, including dates, times, and places.
• Obtain copies of documents that help prove your case and contradict anything a bully has said against you.

It’s not just the responsibility of the victim to stop bullying. Every workplace can take measures to prevent it, including providing training and education, and encouraging a culture where witnesses to bullying can come forward without fear of intimidation or harassment.

At CWA and U@M, we’re working to protect union members from the dangerous effects of bullying — and making sure workplaces put policies and training in place to stop bullying before it becomes a serious problem.

To get the latest on these anti-bullying efforts and other CWA campaigns, sign up for emails from U@M.