Workplace bullying and harassment may belong to the same category of the hostile work environment. But, there are a few differences that set them apart from each other. In both cases the employee would be a victim of intimidation, but the manner in which he/she is intimidated would be different.
Differences Between Workplace Bullying and Workplace Harassment
The first major difference would be the manner of intimidation.
- Bullying could be a physical threat and an act of violence while harassment could be continual in various forms like sexual, mental and physical abuses.
- A bully would not shy away from confronting in order to intimidate. But, office harassment may be more indirect wherein the harasser makes sure you are intimidated without him being present at the spot.
- In legal terms bullying differs from harassment to a large extent. Even the associated remedies are different for each act. Bullying is considered an act of workplace violence while harassment is considered to be workplace intimidation.
- A bully may be physically stronger than his/her victims causing the victims to fear any kind of physical threats that might incur upon them. A harasser may not be physically strong but he/she is feared due to the public embarrassment that could be brought upon the victims.
- A bully might cause a physical injury to you while a harasser might advance with an idea of sexual intention or racist approach.
- A bully usually would have to depend on his superiority at the workplace to humiliate you by making you perform odd jobs and odd hours. A harasser necessarily need not be superior and may even be a colleague or a junior who would spread slander around the workplace about you.
- An office bully can be arrested on the charge of physical violence. Just reporting the issue to the concerned authorities would do in the case of workplace bullying. But, for a harassment case to be addressed legally, a detailed report has to be filed and both the victim and the harasser are given an equal opportunity to address their case.
It may not be massive, but both the issues often cause the victim to undergo severe stress.
Ways to Bully-Proof Yourself from Workplace Harassment
The Talmud states- “He who makes an enemy into his friend is the mightiest of heroes”. How do you bully-proof yourself from a shouting boss or a nagging colleague without getting into a fight? How easy or how tough is it to transform friends into enemies? B.U.L.L.Y.P.R.O.O.F is actually an acronym to guard yourself from workplace bullying.
Bully Proof: Following the ten-step tool of B.U.L.L.Y.P.R.O.O.F can not only get you out of trouble but also turn your office foes into associates. Let us look at each of the tools.
B- Break away from a conflict. Try turning a conflict into a common obstacle by adding an element of humor or surprise.
U- Understand the cause for the conflict on both the fronts. First, try addressing the issues on your site efficiently.
L- Listen the opponent’s argument with intent. Intent listening can often calm the other person if you assure him/her that you have understood their point.
L- Love the person, though you might not approve of what he/she does. Identify the good and speak about it. This would definitely improve spirits.
Y- Your view of perceiving the negative and being able to turn it into a positive is important. Never allow the negative energy of your opponent to influence you.
P- Picture the desired result. Using your intuitions often helps and solutions would present themselves.
R- Respect goes a mile and brings the best out of people. Respect ensures cooperation.
O- Overlook everything that would lead to a conflict. Us your spiritual force to overcome all the negatives directed against you.
O- Originate a dual win. Do not lose, at the same time do not let your enemy lose. Create a win-win situation and show your bully that you both are equally good.
F- Fearlessness is a must when it comes to dealing with bullies. Never succumb to the bullying, instead search for a new challenge and motivate yourself. Be brave enough to do what you feel is right.
Staying bully proof is easier said than done. But, try implementing the above tools of B.U.L.L.Y.P.R.O.O.F and you will see that facing workplace bullies is not tough anymore.
