Workplace bullies, like schoolyard bullies, have always existed. But only recently, with revisions to sexual harassment legislation and inclusion of anti-bullying policy in company handbooks nationwide, have the bullies been identified as harmful to productivity and legal liabilities for employers. Studies have shown that an estimated $200 billion is lost annually due to higher absenteeism, lower productivity, and litigation caused by workplace bullies. Here’s a handy list of potential problem employees to watch for. Do you know someone in your organization that fits the bill? Or an even tougher pill to swallow: are you one of these bullies? If you answered yes to either of those questions, the first step is to train your employees (and yourself!). If you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem. Equip your employees and protect your business from the plague of workplace bullying. #bullyfreezone #nobullying

Portraits of a Bully:

1. The Screamer – This person lives for the fear that creeps into co-workers eyes when she walks in the room. Their only volume seems to be LOUD and ANGRY.
2. The Sneaky One – This guy will smile to your face, and then sign his name to your efforts, badmouth you, and belittle you behind your back.
3. Everyone’s Worst Critic – This one is always finding flaws, even when they don’t exist.
4. The Gatekeeper – This lady just wants to be in charge of SOMETHING in her life…so she chooses the most ridiculous ways to hold on to tools that would assist someone else with getting their job done.
5. The Attention Seeker – Aka the drama queens and kings in your “real” life outside of work. Just like the friends you try to avoid going out with in public because the scene they’ll cause is inevitable. Same rules apply to this guy.
6. The Faker – This lady just wants to be an expert, so she’s convinced herself she’s basically the expert of everything.
7. The Expert – This one actually is an expert…but uses that against others.
8. The Sociopath – Oh, this one. The expert manipulator, lacking in empathy or concern for anyone else, ever.
9. The Domineering Boss – This is the boss that everyone hides from because all he knows is yelling, and his tone is similar to that of a college football coach demanding things of his team from the sideline, while actually not getting much done himself. This person is always in a position of authority, and uses that to instill fear in his subordinates. Think military sergeant gone bad. Things are done his way, or you’re off the team or tormented until you comply.

Anti-Bully Protection for Employers:

In order to be protected from workplace bullies, or at the very least, equipped to handle them, here’s a short list of what you can include in the bullying policy of your company’s employee handbook.

1. Define bullying, and provide examples of what it can look like.
2. Outline the steps for employees to take when they feel they’ve been bullied. INCLUDE steps on how to proceed if the alleged bully is the employee’s direct supervisor or a manager/executive.
3. Provide details on the complaint and investigation procedure.
4. Include a “no retaliation” clause.
5. List the consequences for violating this policy.