What Is Workplace Bullying?

You spend at least one-third of your week at your workplace. So what you may dread the most is if you have to spend this time feeling isolated, or even worse, bullied, by your employer and coworkers. And yes, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to be made the victim of bullying in your adult life. Whatever the context or setting, bullying is unacceptable. So please read on to discover the definition of workplace bullying and how a seasoned hostile work environment lawyer Gloucester County NJ, at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C., can help you put a stop to it effectively.

What behavior or actions are considered workplace bullying?

A simple definition of workplace bullying is when an individual is subjected to negative, inappropriate treatment by others present in their workplace. Usually, such behaviors and actions are classified as intimidating, offensive, or embarrassing. It also usually happens in front of managers, coworkers, clients, or other third parties. Overall, bullying may make for a hostile work environment. Without further ado, below are specific examples of what constitutes workplace bullying:

• A manager may repeatedly give unfair demands to their employee and essentially set them up for failure.
• A manager may constantly remind, criticize, and make fun of their employee’s past mistakes, especially in group settings.
• A coworker may continually coerce an employee to perform their job tasks for them and ultimately take the credit for it.
• A coworker may consistently isolate an employee from projects, meetings, and information needed to perform their job.
• A client may routinely send threatening emails to an employee or yell, scream, and swear at them in front of others.

What can I do if I witness or experience bullying in the workplace?

It can be argued that even if you are simply witnessing bullying in your workplace, you may still be considered a bully. This is if you are standing idly by instead of speaking up for or defending the victim of said bullying. Understandably, you may fear that vocalizing your beliefs would threaten your job security. However, you must understand that workplace retaliation is illegal under New Jersey employment law.

Therefore, if you witness or experience bullying in the workplace, you must bring this to the attention of your manager or your company’s Human Resources department. You may also take your complaint to New Jersey’s Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Officer if no actions are taken to discourage, minimize, or altogether eliminate the bullying culture in the workplace soon after. Or, better, yet, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

If you think now is the time to get started on your workplace bullying claim, then please reach out to one of the competent New Jersey employment lawyers. Our team at The Vigilante Law Firm, P.C. is well-equipped to take on your case.