How to deal with workplace bullying

Over a third of workers in the United States have been bullied in the workplace, with repeated mistreatment from either coworkers or a superior, including intimidation, threatening conduct, verbal abuse, social exclusion or harassment, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute. Those who become victims of bullying in the workplace end up suffering from increased feelings of anger, anxiety, fear and helplessness.

Human resources experts are telling victims that they need to speak up so that the issue can be resolved by the employer, who in many cases may be completely unaware of the problem. It is also a good idea to keep notes as to the actions of the bully, including the date and time of any incidents and their precise nature. Such information can be vital to the filing of an internal complaint or possibly even a lawsuit.

You should also consult the employee handbook of your company to determine if they have a policy that prohibits such behavior, a process for filing complaints and punishment for misconduct.