Working 40 hours a week takes a lot out of anyone. Even if you love your job and your colleagues, it's exhausting to spend so much time at your desk. So work can quickly turn from an annoyance to a nightmare if you’re antagonized by coworkers every day.
Sadly, nearly one third of employees experience bullying in the workplace. And companies aren’t always concerned about preventing it, which means workers often have to take matters into their own hands.
Quora users have been sharing their best tactics for taking on bullies at work, so we’ve gathered some of their stories below. Enjoy reading through, and be sure to upvote the clever ideas that you’ll consider using in your own office in the future!
#21
You do nothing. You hold your head up high and then leave.
My first banking job in year 2000 was a doozy. Changed positions there once. The pay was real low…..like $8/hr. After three years I only made $9/hr. I applied at the bank up the street and was offered the job immediately with a huge increase in pay.
There were some awful women to work with at that first bank and I was glad to hand in my written two week notice.
So, within that two week notice, I attempted to clock in on the computer, like I usually did, and the computer was disabled. So I sat there, like a dummy, trying to figure out what to do.
I was beyond annoyed but thought, how can God bless my life if I cause problems on my way out. So I just kind of slinked away at lunch time and never went back.
You can do it too. Don't cause problems. You never know if it will backfire on you.
My first banking job in year 2000 was a doozy. Changed positions there once. The pay was real low…..like $8/hr. After three years I only made $9/hr. I applied at the bank up the street and was offered the job immediately with a huge increase in pay.
There were some awful women to work with at that first bank and I was glad to hand in my written two week notice.
So, within that two week notice, I attempted to clock in on the computer, like I usually did, and the computer was disabled. So I sat there, like a dummy, trying to figure out what to do.
I was beyond annoyed but thought, how can God bless my life if I cause problems on my way out. So I just kind of slinked away at lunch time and never went back.
You can do it too. Don't cause problems. You never know if it will backfire on you.
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8points
#22
There is no good to be had from trying to get “revenge” on a workplace bully, or any other kind. In my worklife, I have found that if bullies persist, it is because management is supporting or allowing them, or even encouraging them. You will cause yourself double grief by confronting them and no real good by pranking them. If your company is the kind that won’t support an end to this by procedural means, you have to live with it or get out. Revenge will be short term at best and will probably backfire. If they don’t know who did it, where is the satisfaction, what’s the point? If they do, you are in for a world of hurt.
The world is full of advice on the subject and is almost unanimous that it is a bad idea. Here are 3 short examples of how better people than I have considered the subject.
Never murder a man who is committing suicide – Woodrow Wilson
When you set out for revenge, dig two graves – Chinese proverb
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them as much – Oscar Wilde
Wilson’s advice is particularly apropos in the workplace. A bully is always shortening their career, making enemies, creating a negative network in the small world of work or business where everyone needs all the help they can get.
Document the problem, get support from your colleagues, bring the issue to whatever avenues your organization has for this. If there are none, try to avoid the person and encourage others to do the same. If you can’t, you are in a problematic workplace and should consider leaving. In the meantime, kill them with kindness and find some outside outlet for your hostility release. I used distance running.
That’s my opinion. You will get others and some will be quite the opposite of this. Think carefully. Good luck.
The world is full of advice on the subject and is almost unanimous that it is a bad idea. Here are 3 short examples of how better people than I have considered the subject.
Never murder a man who is committing suicide – Woodrow Wilson
When you set out for revenge, dig two graves – Chinese proverb
Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them as much – Oscar Wilde
Wilson’s advice is particularly apropos in the workplace. A bully is always shortening their career, making enemies, creating a negative network in the small world of work or business where everyone needs all the help they can get.
Document the problem, get support from your colleagues, bring the issue to whatever avenues your organization has for this. If there are none, try to avoid the person and encourage others to do the same. If you can’t, you are in a problematic workplace and should consider leaving. In the meantime, kill them with kindness and find some outside outlet for your hostility release. I used distance running.
That’s my opinion. You will get others and some will be quite the opposite of this. Think carefully. Good luck.
7points
#23
Honestly, I wouldn’t stoop to their level! I would ask to be put on projects that minimized my contact with them and avoid them as much as I could!
7points
#24
I am not proud of this, and if I had to do it all over again, I would not have. For a little time, I worked as clerk at a rental car agency. I had these two guys who were in town for the week, and they were very rude and condescending to me, because it was my first week, and I was nervous about all the paperwork. I suggested they take out insurance because I could see they had hangovers from drinking at the local bar the night before. They got mad at that also. And did not take out insurance.
Anyways, it went downhill from there. So, nervously, I rented them the car that would break down on the desert highway. They would be traveling south toward Mexico about 75 miles on the NAFTA highway. You can go for miles and all you see is cacti, mesquite trees and cracked barren ground. Anyways, I rented them the lemon car that broke down every time someone rented it. We would get desperate calls from customers broke down in the middle of the desert. Nothing I could do about it. But the company still rented this lemon out to everyone.
All that day, I was ridden with guilt and worried about them broke down in 105 degree weather. But they made it there and back, and I was so relieved….never again will I try revenge, I do not have the heart for it.
Anyways, it went downhill from there. So, nervously, I rented them the car that would break down on the desert highway. They would be traveling south toward Mexico about 75 miles on the NAFTA highway. You can go for miles and all you see is cacti, mesquite trees and cracked barren ground. Anyways, I rented them the lemon car that broke down every time someone rented it. We would get desperate calls from customers broke down in the middle of the desert. Nothing I could do about it. But the company still rented this lemon out to everyone.
All that day, I was ridden with guilt and worried about them broke down in 105 degree weather. But they made it there and back, and I was so relieved….never again will I try revenge, I do not have the heart for it.
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7points
#25
Hard eye contact and a smile. Laugh at them in your head. And don't give them anything to work with. If you have ever seen anyone get mad at a vending machine or another inanimate object — be like that object, they’ll tire quickly.
6points
#26
Don't take them personally. It's about their issues. If you do something negative it returns to you. So revenge doesn't work. Avoid the bully and be sure they will reap all they are doing. I could tell you amazing stories about karma.
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6points
#27
The best revenge is living well. Focus your energy not on proving anyone wrong , empower yourself by refusing to be their victim . Prove yourself right , they are not worth your energy. We can only be hurt by those e look up too and respect.
If you must say something simply let them know their opinion means nothing , anybody who would take the time to intentionally hurt someone holds no value to themselves or the world around them. Tell them you want to feel bad for them that they are the way hey are , but their actions have removed that obligation.
If they persist , get a recording of an instance where this takes place and share it with your employer.
If you must say something simply let them know their opinion means nothing , anybody who would take the time to intentionally hurt someone holds no value to themselves or the world around them. Tell them you want to feel bad for them that they are the way hey are , but their actions have removed that obligation.
If they persist , get a recording of an instance where this takes place and share it with your employer.
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6points
#28
Wait until your last week. Then pull him aside and ask to speak to him. Do not accept "no" or delays.
In your meeting, make good eye contact and keep your voice calm and controlled. In a matter of fact way, tell him calmly and as directly as you can how difficult he made your experience, how much you disliked it, and how unprofessional it seemed to others. Then stop and keep your eyes fixed on his.
I'll bet he is shocked, flabbergasted even, that an intern would speak to him like this. I'll also bet he is shamed when you directly call him out. He may or may not apologize. He may become defensive, he may even launch a counterattack, but whatever he says, I guarantee you will have made your point.
If his response to you is dismissive, or attacking do not respond to any point he raises. Simply reiterate your original point in the same calm tone you did the first time--his actions were hurtful and unprofessional. You expected a different experience and are disappointed to see how day-to-day interactions are conducted in his office.
By doing this you will be taking the power in your relationship with him. You are in effect asserting your right to be seen as his equal. That will be far better revenge than anything else you can do.
In your meeting, make good eye contact and keep your voice calm and controlled. In a matter of fact way, tell him calmly and as directly as you can how difficult he made your experience, how much you disliked it, and how unprofessional it seemed to others. Then stop and keep your eyes fixed on his.
I'll bet he is shocked, flabbergasted even, that an intern would speak to him like this. I'll also bet he is shamed when you directly call him out. He may or may not apologize. He may become defensive, he may even launch a counterattack, but whatever he says, I guarantee you will have made your point.
If his response to you is dismissive, or attacking do not respond to any point he raises. Simply reiterate your original point in the same calm tone you did the first time--his actions were hurtful and unprofessional. You expected a different experience and are disappointed to see how day-to-day interactions are conducted in his office.
By doing this you will be taking the power in your relationship with him. You are in effect asserting your right to be seen as his equal. That will be far better revenge than anything else you can do.
5points
#29
Revenge doesn’t work.
I instead stop giving my valuable self away to this person.
And that’s the gift that keeps on giving
By telling your truth, not getting revenge and removing yourself from a situation you will begin to see who your true friends are.
The ones that believe the lies, deceit, betrayal and smear campaigns are not your friends, colleagues and bosses you need around you.
Instead, the awful colleague is doing you a favor of weeding out the toxic job, boss and colleagues in your midst.
And it takes absolutely no effort to do and say nothing after you’ve told your truth.
And now you have time to eat more takeout since the toxic people won’t be joining you
I instead stop giving my valuable self away to this person.
And that’s the gift that keeps on giving
By telling your truth, not getting revenge and removing yourself from a situation you will begin to see who your true friends are.
The ones that believe the lies, deceit, betrayal and smear campaigns are not your friends, colleagues and bosses you need around you.
Instead, the awful colleague is doing you a favor of weeding out the toxic job, boss and colleagues in your midst.
And it takes absolutely no effort to do and say nothing after you’ve told your truth.
And now you have time to eat more takeout since the toxic people won’t be joining you
Report
5points
#30
set them up so it looks like they made a huge mistake. can anyone access their computer without them knowing? if so, there’s a way.
or, and this probably isn’t legal, so i didn’t tell you, but create a few accounts online whereby bosses will think it’s that person, and say really bad things about the company and the bosses, then send the bosses the links from some other fake account
put some dog sh*t on their chair before they come in - not enough for them to notice - smear it into the seat, or pour some milk onto their chair if it’s fabric as we all know that really smells badly after a few days
do what we did at work. get someone who knows how to draw pretty good, and create a very crude cartoon strip of them in compromising positions and also saying and doing stupid things, and circulate it around so even the bosses see it
write a fake letter of resignation from the bully to the bosses
send them a fake letter from a headhunter telling them how they’ve found an employer who really wants them and the salary is almost double
have a friend phone in and make a complaint about them, pretending to be a customer
find a photo of them somewhere, and make a fake dating profile on some gay dating site, if they are straight, and go into detail as to what they like to do in bed
make a fake online blog written by them where they come off as a total weirdo, and accidentally send it to the bosses
plant some weed somewhere in their desk or office, then send an anonymous email to the bosses to report it
or, and this probably isn’t legal, so i didn’t tell you, but create a few accounts online whereby bosses will think it’s that person, and say really bad things about the company and the bosses, then send the bosses the links from some other fake account
put some dog sh*t on their chair before they come in - not enough for them to notice - smear it into the seat, or pour some milk onto their chair if it’s fabric as we all know that really smells badly after a few days
do what we did at work. get someone who knows how to draw pretty good, and create a very crude cartoon strip of them in compromising positions and also saying and doing stupid things, and circulate it around so even the bosses see it
write a fake letter of resignation from the bully to the bosses
send them a fake letter from a headhunter telling them how they’ve found an employer who really wants them and the salary is almost double
have a friend phone in and make a complaint about them, pretending to be a customer
find a photo of them somewhere, and make a fake dating profile on some gay dating site, if they are straight, and go into detail as to what they like to do in bed
make a fake online blog written by them where they come off as a total weirdo, and accidentally send it to the bosses
plant some weed somewhere in their desk or office, then send an anonymous email to the bosses to report it
4points