Feeling bullied?
Yes, I do also coach and support people who are feeling bullied.
To see if I might be able to support you, schedule a quick call with me here:
Before we talk, please review these resources and/or take these steps.
Workplace bullying is a dehumanizing process that is all about power and control. It targets an employee’s character, dignity and integrity—not just as a professional, but as a human being.
It is often the most traumatic experience someone has gone through.
These resources will both help you on your path to recovery and healing, and make our initial discovery call more productive.
Note: none of these links are affiliate links or earn me fees of any kind.
Understand the Five Stress Responses to Workplace Bullying.
Get, and read, Overcoming Mobbing: A Recovery Guide for Workplace Aggression and Bullying by Maureen Duffy and Len Sperry. It is an excellent book, and is incredibly helpful for you to understand what you are experiencing and why it is happening.
Find and connect with a therapist who a) understands workplace mobbing and b) is trained to work with PTSD. In my experience, targets of bullying do best with both therapy and coaching. If they can only do one, therapy MUST come first. In the US, I can recommend any of the therapists below. Outside of the US, I suggest doing an internet search. Note: I will not take on a client who is/has been a target of workplace bullying if they are not also working/ have worked with a therapist.
If you are in the US, join, explore the resources of, and engage with/attend meetings of the National Workplace Bullying Coalition.
Canada has the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying and Harassment.
The UK has the National Bullying Helpline.
Dignity Together also has great resources, and are considerably cheaper than 1:1 private coaching.
Do an internet search for elsewhere. Getting involved with your national organization is a phenomenal way to break out of the isolation and shame of this experience, connect with others, and realize you are not alone and that this is not (and never was) about you.
One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to give yourself time away from the workplace. Talk with your doctor about medical (a.k.a stress) leave. For you to really benefit from it, it should be longer (think 6-weeks) rather than shorter (2-weeks).
If your state or organization has it, consider taking Short Term Disability (STD/SDI).
In the US, it’s generally better not to use Worker’s Comp, as it gives the employer too much control.
I recognize leave options are not feasible or available to all. But if you do have access to them, getting respite from the situation is the single biggest thing you can do to start to heal and recover. You cannot heal from trauma while you are still being actively traumatized.
Start updating your resume and looking for another job. Too many targets stay too long at a workplace that is causing them grievous mental and emotional harm. You are highly unlikely to get the organization to change—not unless you form a coalition with others who are feeling like you do/ who have also been targeted. No, you shouldn’t have to leave. But staying is signing up to continue to be abused. Part of getting unstuck from freeze is to start to get yourself out of the situation.
Additional Resources