Anxiety & Panic Community

Bullying exists everywhere and, too often, in the workplace. Having certain work skills does not necessarily make someone a good or appropriate manager but, unfortunately, this happens. The newly appointed manager has no appropriate training in how to motivate people and many times resorts to bullying tactics. It's wrong, it's bad business, and it is really a corporation or company problem rather than solely a managerial one. It is the company that sets out the type of culture that will shape the way employees are treated and the type of environment that will be created. Corporate culture is a vital part of any business plan.


If bullying exists on any level, it is the responsibility of the manager and all corporate personnel to address it, remediate it and put a plan in place to prevent it. This enables the business to maintain good employees and good office relationships which result in a smoother running, more profitable operation in the long run. Bullying results in taking more sick days, using more health insurance and problems in creativity and maintaining vital tasks.


I'm sorry that you did experience this type of business environment and that you felt you had to leave. I don't know if management had offered any type of help to you, but if they did not, they may have lost a valuable employee and permitted a bad situation to become worse.


For yourself, remember the things that you have said which includes that you are a good worker, showed up on time and worked well with others. Those are 3 outstanding qualities that will benefit you at any future employment.


Now is the time to take care of yourself and consider all of your options. You may wish to work with a psychologist or someone else to help you over this and to begin looking at future employment opportunities. I hope that things do continue to improve for you from this point on.


Dr. Farrell

Dr. Farrell thank you for your insight. I found it really helpful. I am working with a counselor who identified the bully as having borderline personality based upon the examples that I shared with him. The only help I was offered was to be given an opportunity to confront the bully with my Manager present. I told the Manager that I did not think it was a good idea since I was having episodes of PTSD with her causing my mind to blank out. My Manager had been aware that she was triggering PTSD in me. The bullying kept happening. This past week I had asked the Manager what was the plan going forward and she told me that she had offered me the opportunity to confront the bully in her presence but I was too fragile. She left it at that. I felt that the bullying was not going to stop since the Manager was tolerating the behavior which was creating a hostile work environment. Coworkers were talking in whispers, walking on eggshells, telling me they felt bad for me but did not want the bully to target them. Each telling me of their own experience with the bully. Each time I would tell the coworker, not to worry, do what you have to to protect yourself. I had made the Manager aware of this to which she replied that she was fully aware. So, at that point I felt I needed to leave.

I understand. It appears that your manager was unwilling to pursue the matter or to offer a more agreeable resolution for you. Her manager should have stepped in, but it appears the culture encourages, or at least stands back, and prefers to leave it go and workers are, apparently, dispensable.

Work with your therapist and consider your options, as I said, one of which may be to apply for temporary disability.

I hope you continue to feel better and understand that you weren't really offered a solution and, yes, leaving may have been the healthy thing for you to do. No one wants to get involved in legal actions which may just end up making you feel worse and not providing the relief you seek.