I work with a real B word
Theres a bully whos really wrecking my life at my veterinary practice. How do I broach the B word to my bossand when is it time to move on to another hospital? The answer lies in another B word: Showing your boss how the bully affects the business.
Don't have time to watch? Here's a quick snapshot:
At first, Sheila thinks we mean the other “B” word … you know the one. In this case, “B” word = Bully. Or, you know, whatever.
Then she offers a totally legitimate answer:
If someone's disrespecting you …
If it happens again and again …
And if it's deliberate …
You're totally being bullied. And you completely need to do something about it.
The bad news: You may need to change the way you think about your bully and decide you're not going to let them affect you. The next step: Confronting your bully and discussing how you need to work together more effectively.
If that doesn't work, it's time to talk to the boss. And this means you need to talk about another “B” word: the business. You need to be able to explain how the bully's behavior affects the business.
How do you know it might be time to leave?
You've tried negotiating …
You can't sleep at night …
You can't think of anything else …
It affects your performance … and the quality of your life …
These might be signs it's time to move on. Just remember, you're helping other team members you've worked with if you tell your boss you're leaving because of a bully. “You might not be the first person to leave,” Sheila says, "But it may not be the right person who's leaving."
