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“I’m not joking when I say this: If you ever work with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I will fire you on the spot. No ifs, ands, or buts.”  That is a direct quote from President Biden on his very first day in the White House. What if corporations took that same stance?

It’s a bit harsh for the average workplace.  But the strength of that message gets the point across quite clear, and workplace bullying and just plain old bad behavior still exists – even with remote work.  Instead, recognize it, document it, and correct it.

Can you be the victim of workplace bullying and harassment when you aren’t in the same location as the other party? The answer is yes.

Remote managers need to be aware of the signs and know how to properly and quickly address a bullying or harassment situation before it gets out of hand.

Behaviors to be on the lookout for include:

• Threats or humiliating language by email, voicemail, or social media

• Verbally berating people or belittling them on conference calls, meetings, or web conferences

• Deliberately lying, spreading rumors about people

• Threatening or demanding extra work or favors

• Off color, racist, or obscene texts, IM’s, and messages

Additional, less serious but still damaging behaviors include:

• Making disparaging remarks during meetings that don’t rise to actual bullying but either undercut confidence or diminish the other person in the eyes of the team

• Intentionally excluding people from information, then accusing them of not paying attention

• Bad-mouthing team members to each other (whether the information is accurate or not)

• Lying or withholding critical information

• Verbal hints or comments that you should quit your job

• Excessive monitoring of work

• Being ignored or having a hostile reception when you approach them

• Information being withheld from you that affects your performance

• Giving jobs that are impossible to do within the given timeframe or resources provided

• Excluding you or preventing you from working in activities or with others that are relevant to your work

A national survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) found that 20% of U.S. workers experience bullying in the workplace and 19% have witnessed it.  Another survey by Monster found that 94% of employees reported being bullied in the workplace.