Female Forum

I’ve had a quick scan of the topics and dont think this one has been done.

you mention bullying and i bet 9 times out of 10 we all think about school bullying? that is the one that the media mostly cover.

I am an adult and for nearly a year I was bullied at work, it still does go on to an extent, I was off for 8 months because of the stress it caused.  On reflection I think i’m an easy target tho, I dont do conflict if I can help it and to be honest when I do its not logically thought out? for example in an argument its usually 2 hours down the line when i think ‘sod it i shudda said that’?

So whats your take on bullying, do you have experience? how did you handle it if your child was/is bullied?

A few months ago my duaghter was bullied at school by a boy in her year. He would take every oportunity he could to take her things, ie her calculator out of her pocket, or he,d pull her hair. He,d also make derogatory remarks about her appearance.

I took action straight away and got in touch with her head of house. I had a chat with him on the phone and face to face. The matter was dealt with and it hasn,t happened again.

I will NOT tolerate anyone who bullies my kids. Bullies are nothing more than spineless cowards. Stand up to them once and that,s usually all it takes.

All bullying is awful and it doesnt matter if it is a child getting bullied or an adult. You are brave in admitting that you were bullied as an adult - I am sure it happens to more people but they are afraid to admit it. There seems to be a lot of publicity and awareness of bullying amongst children but less so of it happening in the workplace between adults. Maybe there is a need for more awareness of this?

thing is i think im just an easy target, dont get me wrong i dont feel sorry for myself or anything like that, its just how you cope with it i guess and i have always been one for just getting on with it, lifes too short n all that

Gemini - sad to say it but you are right, some people are more of a target for bullies than others. That is no excuse though and bullies should be dealt with regardless of the situation or their age. I think a couple of my bosses at work are bullies - no matter what we do, it doesnt seem to be good enough and they like nothing more than looking for an excuse to complain at something we have supposedly done. Sure, bosses need to have some degree of power and the right to complaint and discipline within reason but when their comments become personal they cross a line and become bullies.

I remember an incident when I was nursing. The staff nurse was senior to me and she barked an instruction at me. No please or thank you.

I stood there and looked her straight in the eye and said:  “you may be senior in rank to me but that does not give you the right to speak to me like that. If you wish me to do something could you at least have the manners to say please”?

She stood there with her mouth open, not quite beleiving what she,d heard. She did however repeat her request more politely and she never spoke to me like that again.

You have to stand up for yourself sometimes.