Definition of Workplace Bullying | Workplace Bullying Institute

Just to clarify who a Target of a perpetrator is in the workplace: "Targets are independent. They refuse to be subservient. Bullies seek to enslave targets. When targets take steps to preserve their dignity, their right to be treated with respect, bullies escalate their campaigns of hatred and intimidation to wrest control of the target's work from the target.

Targets are more technically skilled than their bullies. They are the "go-to" veteran workers to whom new employees turn for guidance. Insecure bosses and co-workers can't stand to share credit for the recognition of talent. Bully bosses steal credit from skilled targets.

Targets are better liked, they have more social skills, and quite likely possess greater emotional intelligence. They have empathy (even for their bullies). Colleagues, customers, and management (with exception to the bullies and their sponsors) appreciate the warmth that the targets bring to the workplace.

Targets are ethical and honest. Some targets are whistleblowers who expose fraudulent practices. Every whistleblower is bullied. Targets are not schemers or slimy con artists. They tend to be guileless. The most easily exploited targets are people with personalities founded on a prosocial orientation -- a desire to help, heal, teach, develop, nurture others.

Targets are non-confrontive. They do not respond to aggression with aggression. (They are thus morally superior.) But the price paid for apparent submissiveness is that the bully can act with impunity (as long as the employer also does nothing).

According to the 2007 WBI-Zogby Survey, 45% of targeted individuals suffer stress-related health problems. Additional findings regarding targets' health can be found in WBI research and the PTSD-related research by others posted at this site."

I was taught to get a thick skin. People are people, can't handle that, go away. It's an everyday thing, it's the way of the world, somebody is always going to be an ahole to you, & if you can't handle it, go away/quit. Nobody cares for your petty problems. In my day, you make a complaint, things just got worse, and actually, still to this day, your on the companies sh*t list as a whiner

But back in the day, we solved most problems w/ beatdowns. But I guess in the new PC/Safe Spaces Army that don't fly. Now a days, find a new eff'n job if your skin is to thin.

Nope, I'm not PC. I'm just a realist. Somebody bullies/belittles somebody all the time.

From personal experience, it's those who abuse their ranks as a leverage to belittle subordinate ranks. I can remember most distinctively last year, I went to BDE S3 to a sync meeting and the SFC (NCOIC) and two CPT's were talking down to myself and a few other SSG's, all because we didn't know what time it was supposed to start and where it was being held. We all know that you're not always given pin point directions and instructions for a tasking and last minute "hey you's", so you would think these "seniors" would be more understanding. I, the one out of the group who wasn't afraid to speak up, told those "seniors" that we are only trying to find out where to be and what time exactly. The SFC got in my face and told me to at ease my mouth and to lock it up, while the CPT's laughed and he started laughing as he sat back down. I wasn't humiliated, I was PISSED, that they were the leadership that should be pointing me in the right direction, instead, harassed us. I didn't complain to anyone, but I did confront that SFC with a 1SG after briefing him what happened, and I told that SFC that he was acting absolutely ridiculous just because soldiers go to parade rest doesn't mean they respect HIM, it's his rank we're mandated to respect. He's one of a few that I wish i could run into after I've gotten out and proved to him that his rank doesn't make him invisible.

Leaders should enforce a zero tolerance for abusing rank to degrade subordinate ranks. I firmly believed that rank is only there to pull IF someone subordinate disrespects you and you have to put them in their place. We are all grown men women, wearing the same uniform, nobody is superior to anyone. Yes, many ranks have far more experience and levels of power than others, but it's not necessary to pull your rank.

One last thing I wanted to point out, I am about to start my job as a private investigator, and I am about to be the boss of a CPT who I used to work with years ago. All because I have a bachelors degree and he has an associates. Point being, treat others with respect no matter what rank they are, your rank doesn't define you as a leader, your character does. I could be an asshole and treat him how he used to treat some of us in the army, but I am more professional than that.