Bullying is widespread in our society. The victims often suffer from it for years. But what to do if the boss bullies and uses so-called bossing attacks? So-called bossing means that the supervisor bullies his employees. In this article you will learn what causes bullying and what you can do about it.
Economic damage caused by bullying
Bullying in the workplace can not only affect the health of those affected, but also cause damage to an economy. According to a study by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), bullying costs around 52 billion euros every year. This corresponds to about three percent of the total economic output.
Most of these costs relate to the health care of those affected. They often have to go to the doctor because they suffer from stress or mental illnesses such as depression or burn-out syndrome. Absenteeism from work is also increasing, which hurts companies financially.
What types of bullying are there in general?
There are several types of bullying that are as common as bossing: Bullying is subtle and the victims often don’t realize it until it’s too late. You feel burdened, anxious or caged.
The other types of bullying are:
- Cyberbullying: In this form, people bully each other via the internet and/or mobile phone.
- Social bullying: Here people bully others by excluding or insulting them.
- Physical bullying: In this form, one or more people bully the victim directly. They push, kick, or throw objects at them.
What causes bullying?
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Bullying has many causes. It is often an expression of frustration or dissatisfaction. Bullying often arises from a feeling of power. The perpetrator bullies in order to strengthen his position in society in all hierarchies and/or to harm others, and his acts of bullying happen constantly in everyday work up to the executive floor. He feels powerful when he can exercise power over the affected person. In addition, envy and resentment often play a role. The bully bullies to gain status in the group or to take revenge on the victim.
But the boss can also be personally disturbed and needs power over other people in order to feel better. In such cases, it is difficult to do anything about bullying.
Why is my boss bullying?
Bullying has many causes and there are many causes of bossing and those affected often have no idea what to do.
It often arises out of frustration or dissatisfaction. But the boss can also be personally disturbed and needs power over other people in order to feel better. In such cases, it is difficult to do anything about bullying.
bossing methods
There are different methods a boss uses to bully his employees. He often uses threats, harassment or psychological terror to put employees under pressure. He can also launch personal attacks or insult them. Often the victims of bossing are isolated and given fewer jobs. Beating down in front of co-workers is also a common method of bossing.
How can I defend myself against bossing my boss at work?
First you should try to talk to your boss and superiors. Bullying is often a misunderstanding and can be remedied immediately if it is related to a leadership style, for example. If this is not the case, the conflicts continue to escalate or you feel in danger, you should seek professional help. There are various counseling and therapy options that can help.
You can also try to document your experiences in the bullying process. Write down all incidents and send them to your boss’s boss or another person in the company.
As I said, bossing is a form of bullying. This means harassment by the supervisor. Often this happens subtly and the victims often only notice it late.
Bullying is a serious problem in the workplace. If you, as a victim of bossing, notice that your health is suffering, you should seek professional help. There are various counseling and therapy options for victims of bullying, for example counseling centers that can help you to cope with and change your situation. Works councils or trade unions can also be helpful. You have a lot of experience with bullying with and among employees and know the best strategy to counteract the bossing.
It is also important to report the bossing suspicion to the employer. This is the only way the boss in question can be identified and punished. The employees concerned should also exchange ideas with other victims in order to take joint action against bullying.
What to do if the boss is bullying you? Now that you are reading these lines, you may be in such a situation or know someone who is. Bullying among colleagues and employees is widespread, but those affected often have no idea what to do. It is important to report the suspicion of bossing to the employer. This is the only way the boss in question can be identified and punished. The employees concerned should also exchange ideas with other victims in order to take joint action against bullying.
Labor law: Protection against dismissal in the event of bullying
Workers also have some rights that protect those affected from bullying in the workplace. First, there is protection against dismissal. Employers cannot simply fire employees who are being bullied or harassed. Rather, the employer must first try to talk to the bossing victim and find a solution together. Only then is termination legal.
There is also the Working Hours Act. Employees have the right to regulated working hours and the opportunity to refuse overtime. Anyone who commits bullying actions can easily abuse this law and thus extend or interrupt work at will for employees.
Bossing checklist
If you suspect you may be subject to workplace bullying, consider using a bossing checklist. The following list can help you to analyze your situation and that of your colleagues, but also that of your managers, and to determine whether bossing is actually taking place.
- Do you feel harassed or bullied? Are your work assignments and work tasks managed haphazardly?
- Has the boss tried to pressure you? Even with violence?
- Are you afraid of making mistakes?
- Are your ideas or suggestions regularly rejected?
- Do you feel like fighting the boss alone?
Conclusion
If you have read this article, you now know what bullying is, what causes it, and what you can do about it. You will also learn how bossing manifests itself in the workplace and what to do if the boss is bullying. We really hope that this information will help you!