A P R I L 2 0 1 7 | H E L P I N G A N D S U P P O RT I N G Y O U T O L I V E W E L L A N D S E R V E W E L L . . .

O H I O D E P A R T M E N T O F A D M I N I S T R A T I V E S E R V I C E S

A d d r e s s i n g t h e n e e d s o f O h i o ’ s d e d i c a t e d p u b l i c s e r v a n t s a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s s i n c e 1 9 8 4

Bullying in the workplaceEveryone is entitled to the basic right of human dignity in the workplace. Yet, every day there are instances of workplace bullying. Bullying occurs when individuals or a group intimidate, shame, embarrass or undercut another employee, causing harm to the employee. This behavior can be a combination of aggressive acts over a period of time; presenting a risk to the employee’s health, work performance and safety.

When people are given power, they can be tempted to misuse it, making others feel helpless. Employers aren’t the only ones who bully. Most workplace bullying is peer-to-peer rather than supervisor-to-employee. Coworkers, consultants and labor representatives also can intimidate; and sometimes a group of employees will target another in a behavior known as “mobbing.” Some examples of workplace bullying include:

• Excessive criticism;

• Blaming people without gathering facts;

• Being singled out in or excluded from group or activities;

• Unfair deadlines or amounts of work;

• Being the subject of humiliation; and

• Use of foul or offensive language and shouting.

Bullying versus harassmentThough bullying and harassment both take place in the workplace, they are very different. Harassment is the illegal discrimination of a person’s protected class, such as their gender, race, disability status, etc. Workplace bullying is not considered illegal; and it’s important to be clear about what bullying is and is not. An employer or boss can be tough, while still respecting the rights and thoughts of others. Being firm does not equal bullying in the workplace.

Corporate bullyingThere are times when bullying is embedded and accepted in the workplace culture. This is known as institutional, or corporate, bullying. In these instances, employers will have unrealistic expectations and deadlines for employees. They might ignore employee complaints of stress due to workload. Also, rewards or encouragement are given to bullying coworkers. This behavior is unacceptable and should be reported to human resources, because when you fail to address the problem, you might be contributing to it.

Negative effects of bullyingWorkplace bullying hurts the individual and the entire organization, and there can be negative physical, emotional and social effects. Individuals might face increased sick days, changes in sleeping and eating

patterns, low self-esteem, depression symptoms, and

problems with finances and family life. The company as a whole also can experience negative side

effects to bullying, such as a marred reputation, legal costs,

low morale, staff changes, a loss of productivity, and replacement and training costs to bring in new staff.

Workplace bullying solutionsWhat can you do to help solve and prevent bullying in your workplace? The following

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suggestions for the individual and the employer offer helpful tools to promote a safe working environment for all:

For the bullied individual:Check your handbook. Be aware of any policies against bullying in your employee manual or handbook. There might be steps outlined for you to take should the need arise.

Talk to your bully. If you feel comfortable, have a conversation with the person bullying you. Let them know their behavior is unacceptable and unprofessional. This communication can be written or verbal. It might be helpful to have a witness or third party with you, as the bully might deny their behavior.

Take notes. Keep a log detailing the offensive behaviors. Make special note of the times, dates, who was present, what was said and what was done to you. If you’re the target, be sure to keep accurate records of your work (timesheets, work orders, etc.) to defend yourself.

Seek help. If you’re unable to solve the problem with your peer, consider going to a higher-level employee, your supervisor or employer, or human resources personnel for help.

For the employer or supervisor:

Make a policy. Send a clear message in your workplace by establishing a zero-tolerance policy for bullying. Handle offenders swiftly and by the pre-determined rules.

Raise awareness. Promote an anti-bullying campaign. People will feel more comfortable speaking up if there’s an atmosphere of awareness and they know they won’t be punished for being honest.

Establish a contact person. Designate a human resources person who is unbiased and independent of the situation in question. Make sure he or she can listen objectively to all employee concerns regarding bullying and connect people to proper resources if they need counseling or support.

Conduct focus groups. Consider sending anonymous surveys or holding focus groups with your employees to gain information about potential bullying in the workplace. Hearing others’ concerns often gives employees the courage to speak up about their own experiences.

Workplace bullying is an avoidable situation. Having good standards in place can help eradicate or prevent its occurrence, as well as provide a safe environment for the workers and employers. If you or someone you know is dealing with the negative effects of workplace bullying, consider seeking help. Many employers have human resources personnel or a recommended counselor to assist. If additional support is needed, contact your medical or mental health professional.Sources: www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Files/Bullying.pdf www.aarp.org/work/job-hunting/info-11-2013/handle-bullying-on-the-job.html By © Amplified Life Media. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.

Manage your work stress before it manages youIdentify stress before it becomes a problem

There are no easy answers for coping with job stress. The key is managing your reaction to it.

Once you’ve identified the areas that may be causing you stress, you can begin to problem-solve. Spend some time thinking about your ideal work situation. Write about the kind of job you want to have. Then, with this new insight, consider ways you may be able to make your reality look and feel more like your ideals.

You may be able to change some work conditions; others you’ll probably have to cope with. Learning to manage your reaction to stressful situations can dramatically improve the overall quality of your life. You may benefit from speaking with a professional counselor, who can help you identify areas that need changing, cope with stress and find a satisfying life/work balance.

Three ways to reduce the effects of stress:

• Strive for a healthy balance between work life and personal life. If you’re a “workaholic,” work issues may tend to get blown out of proportion. If you build a healthy personal life with family and friends, you’ll be better able to put work situations in the proper perspective, and enjoy the love and support of those around you. If you’re spending too many hours at work, talk to your supervisor about how you can get work accomplished in a more reasonable amount of time, bringing better balance to your life. The more satisfying your personal life, the more productive you’ll be at work.

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• Develop a positive, relaxed attitude. Yes, this is easier said than done. But most things of value require hard work. If you’re an intense, serious person, it may help to take a short course in stress management. Most techniques focus on your mental attitude and offer physical exercises that can help you relax and adopt a positive outlook.

• Rely on a support network of coworkers, family and friends. Even if your work environment is not particularly conducive to making friends, go out of your way to build a support system of co-workers with whom you feel comfortable. Try to avoid complaining and gossiping. Instead, focus on working together to build a more supportive workplace. Whenever possible, make friendships with people in your own industry, and use them as “sounding boards” for problems and challenges. Finding a business mentor also can help you solve work problems that cause stress. Remember to rely on your family and friends to provide support during difficult times.

If stress from work is overwhelming, reach out for support. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness or failure, especially in situations too difficult to handle alone.

What’s Stressing You Out at Work?Finding out the source of your stress is the first step in coming up with solutions. Because most everyone will encounter job stress, it’s important to identify situations that create excessive stress and learn skills for coping with them. Stress often arises from the following areas:

Job tasksDo you have an excessive workload? Lack of challenging work? Too little variety?

Company cultureHave you noticed an overly aggressive management style? Poor communication of company policies? Lack of positive reinforcement?

Personal relationshipsDo you experience bullying or harassment? Lack of support from co-workers? Little team spirit?

Career concernsIs lack of opportunity for advancement getting you down? Is the future of your job uncertain?

Tips for getting through the “daily grind:”

At work

• Take regular breaks. Even a ten-minute walk around the block can help clear your head and provide new perspective.

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• Think positive. Use positive talk with yourself to help you succeed at an upcoming challenge. Say to yourself “I can,” then set your mind to do it. If you anticipate a stressful situation coming soon, think it through ahead of time and make plans how you will react to it.

Outside of work

• Express your feelings. You can write your feelings down in a journal, or express your feelings in other ways such as dancing, talking with friends or family, painting or playing music.

• Exercise. It can help you manage stress. Do what you like and do it almost every day. You may even be able to schedule exercise during your work lunch break.

• Slow down. Too many of us cram our days off work with constant chores and never stop to smell the roses. Give yourself permission to sit on the couch and watch a little TV or lie in bed and read a book once in a while – or even take an afternoon nap.

• Have a sense of humor. Take time to share jokes with your friends or family, read the comics in the newspaper, or watch a silly TV show or movie. Laughter really is a good medicine, even for stress.

By © liveandworkwell.com. All rights reserved.

• Eat well. Healthy meals and snacks during your work day are critical. When you eat poorly, you’re more likely to be impatient and tired, and have difficulty concentrating. This will only increase your stress level.

• Breathe. A typical response to stress is shallow, rapid breathing. Use deep-breathing techniques to calm your mind and body. Focus on each inhale and exhale.

• Stretch. Learn some simple desk exercises — they can combat stress and sluggishness, helping you get through the day.

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Your employee assistance program offers confidential help for personal problems and

concerns. Concerned about a troubled family member who won’t get help? Feel tired and exhausted, but don’t know if it’s burnout, loss of motivation, depression or all three? Late for work too often? Has the use of alcohol or drugs created a crisis you are facing right now? The bottom line, never wonder if your concern is appropriate to contact OEAP. So, if you’ve been putting off taking action to solve a serious issue that is weighing on you, give OEAP a call today.

Share Your Comments about Frontline FocusYour comments are important. Please share your comments about Frontline Focus via OEAP’s confidential email address: OEAP@das.ohio.gov. Your comments may be published in a future edition of Frontline Focus.

800-221-6327/614-644-8545 ohio.gov/eap

Andy Bensing, OEAP Benefits Manager

Respecting diversity in the workplaceThere are many differences among people in a workplace: race, gender, culture, age, sexual orientation, religion, physical ability, education and more. In a perfect situation, every person is treated equally when it comes to getting a job, advancing a career or being treated fairly in the workplace.

In the U.S., Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 makes it illegal to discriminate against individuals due to race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability. Beyond obeying this law, it also is necessary to accept, respect and welcome the differences among individuals in the workplace to be productive and successful. Workplace diversity is not a trend or a matter of “political correctness.” Our strength as a country, company or individuals depends on being aware of and sensitive to diversity.

Here are some ways you can practice this respect for diversity in your workplace.

Be self-aware and open-minded – Notice how your own cultural assumptions can cause you to misunderstand or misjudge another person, and most of all, avoid acting on these assumptions. Language, actions and gestures can mean different things in different cultures. For example, some cultures believe eye contact is insulting or aggressive, while others believe avoiding eye contact signals dishonesty. Keep an open mind, ask your coworkers about their cultural norms, and apologize if you unintentionally offend someone.

Don’t expect assimilation – Cultural assimilation – merging all cultures into a one – is an outdated and inappropriate approach to diversity. It violates individual identity and rights, and it ignores the value that different cultures can bring to the workplace. Avoid thinking in terms of “us” and “them,” and don’t expect everyone to look, act or be the same.

Be professional – Have zero tolerance for harassment in the workplace by avoiding offensive jokes, negative stereotyping, mocking, hostile acts, insensitive comments and anything that degrades or harms another because of his or her identity. Treat others as you want to be treated and respect your coworkers’ differences.

Value diversity – Respecting diversity in the workplace isn’t simply avoiding problems. It also involves learning about the things that make us different, finding common ground, and valuing our different attributes. For instance, a multi-lingual coworker may be able to help you with a non-English speaking customer, or you may save time on a project when you learn a technique or approach from another culture. Don’t assume that differences are a detriment.

Diversity brings an abundant supply of unique ideas, perspectives and creative solutions to problems. All of which can contribute to a harmonious and healthy workplace.By © liveandworkwell.com. All rights reserved.