HELPING THOSE WHO FEEL BULLIED
- Introduce processes which will enable them to feel safe to come forward
- Understand that confidentiality will be essential prior to any complaint;
this will enable staff to feel properly protected
- Make it known that their perception of what is happening to them will be
taken seriously.
- Assist targets to work through and explore the experiences and associated
feelings which have affected them, so that these can be put into context.
- Enable them to explore all available options for dealing with these
events, so that they can decide what, if anything, to do next.
- Advise them to keep all memos, correspondence relating to work, and to
keep a record of all incidents which cause them to feel distressed or
undermined
- Suggest they write down their feelings after each occurrence
- Encourage them to indicate how they believe bullying has affected their
personal performance
- Acknowledge their fear; people may feel terrified by the prospect of
either meeting the bully face to face at a grievance interview or of being
viewed as a weak trouble maker
- If you can, offer reassurance that they won’t have to move if the other
person is found to have been at fault
- Provide an independent counselling option to help rebuild damaged
confidence and self esteem
- Avoid blaming this person for what has affected them; no one asks to be
hurt, undermined or intimidated when they are trying to do their job
