If so, consider yourself fortunate. You are in a healthy
workplace, with people in power who will support you in your fight with a
bully.
On the other hand, do they turn a blind eye to bullying? Do
they encourage or reward bullying behaviors? Does a workplace bully usually get
his way? Is bullying behavior the norm rather than the exception?
In that case, you are probably in a toxic workplace. Even if
you aren’t directly bullied, the fumes may get you. You may even conclude that
finding a new job is the only viable solution.
Signs of a toxic workplace
In a toxic workplace, dysfunctional attitudes and emotions
seem to permeate the atmosphere.
1. Widespread anger and frustration
2. Workplace bully is admired
3. Scapegoats are always blamed
4. Dysfunctional relationships
5. Dysfunctional meetings
6. Obvious hypocrisy
7. Overly restrictive systems
8. Incompetent or powerless HR manager
Signs that management
encourages bullying
In a toxic
workplace, upper management has unknowingly displayed attitudes and imposed
policies that have created an environment favorable to bullies and hostile to
everyone else.
Management
encourages bullying:
1. Remote from employees
2. Bully is part
of management “club”
3. Seems to deal
with bully
4. Bullying is
rewarded
5. Effort to
appease a workplace bully
