欺凌并不是一个新现象，但你知道欺凌在工作场所是相当普遍的吗？根据职场欺凌JDB电子研究所的数据，每年有19%的员工受到欺凌，其中61%的欺凌者是老板。鉴于这些统计数据，我认为进一步JDB电子研究这个主题是很重要的。

当我们想到恃强凌弱的时候，我们的脑海里通常会浮现出校园里的骂人、踢人或打人、或社会操纵等事件——所有这些都是为了控制目标。当然，今天我们还要加上网络欺凌。但是职场中的霸凌是什么样的呢？健康热线列出了以下几种常见的职场欺凌形式：

• 有针对性的恶作剧
• 在工作职责上被故意误导，比如错误的截止日期
• 无正当理由继续拒绝请假
• 威胁、羞辱和其他言语虐待
• 过度的性能监控
• 过分严厉或不公正的批评

我最近和一位刚开始教学的年轻女性交谈过。她形容自己和同事的工作环境是相互支持和富有同情心的，但当她描述老板的行为时，她描述了一个恶霸。例如，她的老板经常走进教室，对老师大喊大叫，当着学生的面指责他们管理不善，这是欺凌和糟糕的JDB电子领导。

我和另一位女士交谈过，她承认自己犯了一个错误，但完全没有准备好应对这种反弹。她的老板当着同事的面对她大吼大叫，用辱骂和羞辱来贬低她。我想起了另一位女士，她问她是否能像她的同事一样，每周在家工作一天。她的母亲生病了，她希望每周有一天能离家近一点，带母亲去看医生。然而，当她询问为什么她的同事被允许在家工作时，她得到了“不”的回答，也没有得到回应，而她却没有。

In all three of these instances, the boss was a woman, which does not follow US statistics. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute, while 60% of targets are women, 70% of perpetrators are men. The reality is, it doesn’t really matter whether bullies are men or women, what really matters is how one deals with bullies in the workplace, especially when they are in positions of power.

Sherry Campbell put forth six strategies in her Entrepreneur article entitled, “6 Effective Tactics for Handling a Toxic Boss.” She notes, “Typically bosses who bully are under tremendous pressure, love control, and feed off two things – emotional reaction and attention. They thrive on the power they have and to manipulate others.” In these situations, she recommends the following six strategies:

Shift Your Focus From Your Boss

Accept that your boss is unlikely to change, so focus your attention on doing your job versus your boss’s behavior.

Understand The Bully

Unlike children who can be punished, your boss is in a position of power, but while they may wield power, they are likely insecure, selfish, and immature. When you understand the bully, you can gain some control. For example, workplace bullies often make it difficult to follow their directions, so take detailed notes. Campbell notes that when your boss sees you taking notes, they realize you have a record of the conversation. I would add, follow-up with an email, so if the boss does not correct you, then you have a record.

Set Silent Limits

Campbell argues that body language is a key element in dealing with a bully boss. She suggests that you actually turn your body away from your boss as often as possible and when you are face-to-face, hold your head high and lift your chest. “Body language is a more powerful communicator than words which the bully can turn around and use against you; body language cannot.”

Set Verbal Limits

Facts can be your friend. Campbell points out that when we are nervous, we tend to talk more, so if you are armed with facts, you are less likely to be nervous and seek your bosses understanding or worse – their empathy – which you will not get.

Build a network

Align yourself with other targets. You can band together in documenting dates and times and conversations with your bully boss. It can be easier for several people to approach HR together to lodge a complaint.

Tell Management and HR About The Bully's Behavior

Be prepared to discuss the impact of the bully’s behavior on “your physical, emotional and mental health along with how it has negatively impacted your work performance.” Campbell further argues, “File a formal complaint and allow human resources instigate an investigation.”

Remember, no one – especially people in positions of power – have the right to bully someone at work. If you are unfortunate enough to work with a bully, remember you have options. Begin by standing firm on your core values. Do not let a bully pull you down to their level, instead, rise above it. Next, continually remind yourself that you deserve better and then follow the six strategies outlined above. If the strategies do not yield change, you might be forced to look for a new job – if this is the case, do not discuss the bullying with a potential new employer. Instead, talk about looking for new challenges, more opportunities for growth. And if you are witnessing someone being bullied, stand up for them.

Best,