Bullying or rudeness in the office has been in headlines recently, and for good reason. Incivility among co-workers can exacerbate workplace stress, increase absenteeism and even have a detrimental effect on employee performance, as workers spend more time dealing with personal problems instead of doing their job.
Charleston, N.C. news source The Post and Courier recently featured an article by doctors Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, who gave recommendations on how to diffuse workplace bullying.
First, good manners don’t just apply at the dinner table. Making kind remarks and holding back when feeling the urge to make a rude or defensive comment may help keep bullies at bay. Additionally, simply avoiding trouble-makers can be a good strategy, according to the doctors.
If bullying or rudeness gets to be a real problem, Oz and Roizen recommend talking to a supervisor to make them aware of the situation. Together, bosses and workers can develop strategies to ensure a civil office.
An article in Live Science reports that workplace bullying can be more detrimental and disruptive than sexual harassment.
“Targets of severe workplace bullying are suffering from physical and psychological conditions that would just drive even the strongest of us into the ground,” said David Yamada, of Suffolk University Law School in Boston, quoted by the news source.
It’s likely that subjects of rude behavior and actions, as well as the bullies themselves, are experiencing high levels of anxiety. As a result, employee wellness programs that provide tools and resources for stress management may be in order.
