Dealing With Bullying at Work

Starting out in the workplace as an apprentice can be a challenging time and you need to feel as comfortable and confident as possible. If you find yourself facing bullying it can have a huge impact on the way you feel about yourself and your apprenticeship. Bullying is a form of discrimination and should never be tolerated and you have the right to feel secure and happy at work. Bullies are usually unhappy with their own lives and make themselves feel better by picking on someone else.

Don’t Suffer in Silence

Dealing with bullying is not something that anyone wants to face and you need to remember that it is not your fault. The last thing you should do is suffer in silence and hope that it goes away. Being bullied is not your fault and you have nothing to be ashamed about. If you do not feel confident enough yet to do anything official about the problem then confide in a friend, family member or colleague so you are not facing the situation alone.

Approach the Bullies

Picking on someone else makes bullies feel powerful and important. Although it may seem impossible to stand up to them, you need to show that their actions cannot hurt you. It can be a good idea to confront them in front of others as their bravado may take a beating, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing that then take them aside. You may also decide that it would be easier to approach their friends or accomplices to placate the situation.

Keep a Diary

Bullying can often be difficult to prove as it is usually a verbal situation. In case you decide to take further action, it is a good idea to keep a diary about it. Note down all the dates and times, and exactly what happened and what was said. This will help you remember all the incidents and also can be used to explain the severity of the situation to your manager.

Report it

No one has the right to make you feel unhappy or scared while you are on your apprenticeship and discrimination is taken seriously in the workplace. Arrange a time to talk to your manager and have your diary with you and you may want to take a colleague along for support. Try not to be too emotional or accusatory but lay out exactly what has been happening, who the people are and what you want done about it.

At any stage of your career, whether as an apprentice or further down the line, bullying is not acceptable. As a new starter some people may feel that they can take advantage of you or assert their power but you need to stand up to them. Seek support from a friend or colleague and if you feel up to it, approach the bully directly. If not, keep a diary of the bullying and tell your manager what has been happening so that there is a formal account of the situation. Being bullied is not your fault and your company should take it seriously.