Empowered Peace: Workplace Worries and Badly Behaving Bullies

The workplace is the second, if not the first home to a majority of working people. Your job can be full of good friends, supportive supervisors and friendly potlucks but increasingly the workplace has become a war zone. Employers and employees alike actively seek out individuals to harass and humiliate. This terrorist mentality causes absenteeism, medical expenses, mental and emotional exhaustion, lower wages, character assassination and termination of employment. According to Time Magazine many states are following the lead of New York's Healthy Workplace Bill and cracking down on workplace violence.

Bullycide

The media is not at a loss for stories about bullying. In fact, a new term has been created for the act of suicide caused by bullying, "Bullycide." Here are some of the victims: Phoebe Prince, Megan Meier, Karl Peart, Gemma Dimmick, Jodie Zebell and Brodie Panlock just to name a few. These people were called names, the subject of gossip, victimized by vicious rumors and continually made to feel unworthy by their bullies. The continual marginalization and the increased power of the bully became overwhelming and they eventually committed suicide. They were finally convinced that what the bullies said was true and there was not any help or hope to fix things. This is such a sick travesty, bullies actually enjoy the pain of their victims. Chances are you have been a victim, are a victim or know someone that has been or is being victimized. I want you to know you are not alone.

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Why Do People Bully?

Fear: People are afraid of many things. Job loss in today's economy is certainly one of them. People who are working are willing to use unethical means to keep their jobs. This is unfortunate and many times fear comes in the form of bullying and a mentality of "only the strong survive."
Insecurity: Many people are insecure and anyone they perceive as capable of 'getting ahead' of them is a target.
Jealousy: Old fashioned jealousy fumes many flames. A lack of values, misdirection and unrealistic expectations lead people to hate others. The hate comes from feeling they deserve something more and proceed to take it from another person.
Power: How seductive is power? Power used in the wrong way creates bullying.
Control: Bullies like to have control over everything, especially the life of their victim. They are unable to maintain a peace of mind without suppressing their victim, the person becomes as a possession or toy. Managing their own lives would require introspection and most bullies feel it is too painful or scary to face their demons.

How to Survive Your Bully

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You can allow bullies to steal your peace and joy. This is a spiritual poison that breaks the heart of many lost souls. Continued exposure to this behavior can make you sad, discouraged, depressed, anxious, distracted and unproductive. The best way to handle a bully is to minimize these effects. You have to find a positive in-flow to counteract their negativity. Religion, friends, prayer, worship, arts and crafts and spiritual renewal are all examples of positive actions. You may feel like giving up or not participating but these things help!

Take notes of the activity happening at work. Use this information wisely and at the right time.
Don't allow the bully's rumors and lies to define who you are. Read affirmations and repeat them to remind yourself of your value.
Confront your bully with a calm ethic. Yelling or bad behavior will only get you in trouble and make your bully's lies more believable.
Report this activity to human resources. Tell them about the hostile environment your bully is causing and ask for help.
Educate yourself about workplace bullying and find a support group.
Consult an attorney.
Ride out the storm. From a spiritual perspective, some lessons are taught over and over again until you walk completely through the situation. This can be scary and very uncomfortable, but by educating yourself on your situation, prayer and acting with integrity you can win.
Never give up!

!!!Special Note!!!

This is to all of you who see someone being victimized and harassed at work. SAY SOMETHING!!! Confront the bully, stick up for your co-worker and refuse to tolerate this nonsense. Report the incidents to human resources and keep notes. You do not want the guilt of thinking you could have done something when it is too late.