Positive Solutions Toward a Civil Workplace

by Dec 9, 2015

Workplace bullying is any repeated, inappropriate behavior which may be directed towards anyone; a worker, a boss, a customer or client, or a third person at work, which threatens health and safety. It may involve verbal abuse or physical violence, and furthermore, it can be active or subtle, and can be carried out directly or indirectly. Nevertheless, bullying threatens civility in the workplace.

Even a single unacceptable act may constitute bullying, because it can develop into a repeated pattern which may become part of the work culture and hinders an organization from building a civil workplace. While people are bound by different opinion, conflict and problems may be part of the typical working life. However, if it turns to be unreasonable or offensive, then it constitutes workplace bullying.

It can be noted that workplace bullying can be stopped. How bullying is handled depends on the nature of bullying or a particular work environment. While every situation is different, there too, are many different ways on how to address bullying. Informal and formal procedures and workplace bullying solutions can be resorted to per se. The informal procedures include checking for an existing workplace policy, seeking advice, keeping a record of incidents, confronting the bully, or seeking counseling services. On the other hand, formal procedures include a proper grievance and redress system and legal complaints.

Civility is the platform for organizational success—it is absolutely necessary for an organization to reach its goals. Download our Ebook on Seeking Civility to learn more on how to create a workplace free of bullying and abusive conduct.

 

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP is President of consulting and training firm, Civility Partners, and has been successfully providing programs in workplace bullying and building positive workplaces since 2007. Her clients include Fortune 500’s, the military, several universities and hospitals, government agencies, small businesses and nonprofits. She has published in a variety of trade magazines and has appeared several times on NPR, FOX, NBC, and ABC as an expert, as well as in USA Today, Inc Magazine, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and more. Catherine is Past-President of the Association for Talent Development (ATD), San Diego Chapter and teaches at National University. In his book foreword, Ken Blanchard called her book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” She recently released a second book entitled, SEEKING CIVILITY: How Leaders, Managers and HR Can Create a Workplace Free of Bullying.

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