Citation

Hills L. J. Med. Pract. Manage 2012; 27(5): 295-300.

Affiliation

Blue Pencil Institute, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA. lhills@bluepencilinstitute.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Greenbranch Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

22594064

Abstract

An eye roll, a glare, a dismissive snort, a nasty remark, a joke at someone's expense--these are some of the subtle tactics of the workplace bully. Such behaviors may not sound like much by themselves. However, that is precisely why they are so insidious and why workplace bullying is so much more common than many people realize. This article will help medical practice employees and administrators learn the skills and techniques they need to identify workplace bullying and to neutralize and overcome bullying behaviors when they encounter them. It describes what workplace bullying is and isn't, and offers startling statistics about the scope of the workplace bullying problem today. This article also describes the characteristics of workplace bullies and their targets, and how bullying affects both the targeted individual and the employer. It offers eight strategies for the medical practice manager to prevent and deal effectively with bullying. It also offers 12 tips for employees who are the target of bullying and additional strategies to help and guide bullying bystanders. Finally, this article offers 10 additional strategies for preventing and dealing with workplace bullying, a checklist of bullying behaviors, and a sample medical practice anti-bullying policy.

Language: en