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.

 

Catherine

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500’s to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Catherine’s award-winning book, BACK OFF! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, was hailed by international leadership-guru, Ken Blanchard, as, “the most comprehensive and valuable handbook on the topic.” Her latest book is Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley),

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