Question

Bullying

you just ended a meeting with Ming one of your six employees, who gave you some disturbing information. She feels she is being bullied by one of her coworkers and is seeking your advice on how to handle it. Ming said that Mindy has been saying good morning to everyone as she walks by their office but doesn’t say it to Ming. Ming also said that Mindy organized a farewell lunch for one of your departing employees last week and didn’t invite Ming,She also told you of nasty things that Mindy tells other colleagues about her. For example, last month when Ming ran into Mindy at the grocery store, Mindy told everyone the next day The medications that Ming had in her cart, which include medication for irritable bowel syndrome. Ming also showed you an email that Mindy had sent blaming Ming for the loss of one of Mindy‘s clients. Mindy had copied the entire department on the email. Ming thinks that other employees have been reluctant to involve her in projects as a result of this email. Ming left your office quite upset, and you think you may need to take some action.

1 Do you think Ming is correct in saying Mindy is bullying her? What are the indications if bullying?

2. What advice would you give to Ming?

3. How would you handle this situation with Mindy, without embarrassing Ming?

Answer 1

Yes, Ming is correct about her bullying by Mindy.

There are few indications of bullying such as intimidating the victim, creating false hope with no plans to fulfilling them,purposely ignoring / avoiding the victim, Intentionally excluding someone or making them feel socially or physically isolated from a group,Making the victim constantly feel that they are the problem ,Constantly criticizing someone's work or behavior, usually for unwarranted reasons,Intentionally withholding information from someone or giving them the wrong information etc

Ming had faced some of the above mentioned signs of bullying at work. And it is completely in her rights to inform about this to her boss.

First of all I would give Ming an assurance that she wont face any such issues again and I will pay attention to this issue personally.

I will talk to Mindy and understand her side about such behavior. And will make her aware about rules that are applicable in our office and bullying is not acceptable at workplace . And will give her a chance to improve her behavior .