Workplace bullying?

I work in an open plan office which is split into 2 parts. I sit with 2 other part timers. I am a full timer. On the other side of the room are 3 full timers and 1 part timer. The part timer over there used to sit on my side but she was a bullying colleague and it led me to have a breakdown and 4 weeks off with stress, combined with a heavy workload. My boss' solution was to move her across the room. This has led to people taking her side. I am now ostracised by 3 of the people on the other side of the room and one of the part timers that I work with, who I used to have a good working relationship with. It makes for a very uncomfortable atmosphere at work. Any advice would be welcomed on how to resolve this situation?

Do you belong to a union?
If not then join one NOW as they can be a tremendous support.
Also have you considered looking for a job elsewhere? Normally I would say hang around and see this trough BUT if this effects your health then you would be much better off working elsewhere.

Also does your work place have a harassment and bullying protocol to follow? If so then do this. You could also follow a grievance procedure against all those that are involved in this bullying.
ACAS may also be worth reading and contacting with reference to employment law.

try to think of it this way...letting her get to you...is giving her all the power. DO NOT let her win! no matter how much it bothers you...do not let them know. because that is what is making them continue to do these things to you. if you are no longer bothered by it there is no reason for them to continue the behavior. they got to you once and got you to take 4 weeks off of work...they won that time...do not let them win this one!! don't go to your boss...then you turn into a rat, and no one likes a rat! ignore the behavior and it should soon stop. good luck with this and it might be tough but do not let them win...if that is what they want is for you to quit, or to make your life hell...walk right up to them in the morning with a big smile and say "good morning" and walk away, let them think your not bothered and it should eventually stop, but if you sit in a corner and do nothing but stress out...they are in control of you, and that is not what you want.

I was in a very similar situation to you, all I wanted was for everyone to accept me, after all I considered myself a very nice person & not deserving of bullying & office bitching. Unfortunately I let them get the better of me. My anxiety led to a nervous twitch & I got so depressed I took an overdose & left. It took me a long time to get myself back together & I needed therapy to build my self-esteem & confidence & to learn communication skills such as assertiveness. I'm quite confident now & don't let anyone walk over me-I stand up for my rights assertively. But the most important thing I learnt was that I can never control what other people say or do-but I can control how I behave in response to them. Nobody can make you feel anything, you choose how you feel by the thoughts you create about the situation. Bullys thrive on the power they have over others, they thrive on your reactions to them-all bullys belittle others to make themselves appear better. What you need to do is realise that no matter what the bully does, you've got to show that it doesn't affect you. Who cares if she's not your friend or has turned others against you-who would want to be friends with people like that anyway? They are called Toxic people, avoid them like the plague. Just continue to associate with the nice people at work & ignore the Toxic people. I accept that I'm not liked by everyone that meets me, just as I don't like every person I meet. I choose only to associate with people who positively influence my life. I would rather have a couple of close friends than a huge amount of Toxic friends. If it becomes too unbearable maybe it would be best to look for another job.

See bullying, in section 37, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris One of the websites has a section on workplace bullying.

Firstly, I'm glad you spoke to your boss and she did something about the bullying - albeit just moving her across the room! Myself (and several of my collegues) were bullied in my last job and because it was the Director doing the bullying there was nothing we could do about it!

If no more bullying is actually taking place since the girl was moved (apart from the 3 of them ignoring you), there's probably not much you can do by complaining. Your boss can't force collegues to talk to you socially. But if it's affecting any aspect of your work then you probably have cause to speak up, and you should do.

I think you should try to start speaking to the part timer that you used to get along with. Maybe make a point of bumping into her occasionally outside the loo, or in the kitchen, or on the way into work... be really friendly, ask how she is etc, and then eventually say something like "I get the feeling Blah (girl who bullied you) is trying to get people to dsilike me."

You may find that being away from the girl who used to bully you, she won't ignore you.

Good luck.

Are they entitled to more than you are? Did you come into this world with a little mark on your left shoulder that identifies you as suitable only for second-best? Sometimes, in your darker moments, you wonder how much the universe really loves you or cares for you. The universe, though, is untiring and unequivocal in its support. Recognise this and be grateful. The very act of mustering faith and enthusiasm will be sufficient to bring into your life the most delightful development over the next few years!!!!

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