How to survive a bully at work

We’ve all had one: the coworker who throws their weight around and makes your day miserable. Whether they’re the boss’ darling, the know-it-all who knows you’re wrong or just a good old fashioned jerk, working with bullies can make the best of jobs intolerable.

Here are tips on how to survive a bully — at least until HR wakes up and sees them for who they really are.

Hash it out

Sometimes, it’s best to be direct. Talk with the person, explain your side of things and listen to what they have to say. Perhaps, it’s just been a misunderstanding. Clearing the air may be just the ticket you need to restore peace. Of course, it’s possible that there was no misunderstanding at all and you’re dealing with a Class A jerk. In any case, after this conversation, you’ll have sorted fact from fiction.

It’s not you, it’s them

If a direct approach isn’t your style or doesn’t seem right in this case, it can be helpful to realize it’s not personal. Bullies tend to bully everyone to some degree and many do so because they don’t live up to the standards they create for themselves. If they don’t like who they are, chances are good they won’t like who you are either. There’s not much you can do for a person whose outlook is so grim. Instead, do your best not to take their words to heart and avoid them if you can.

Kick them

Just kidding. You can’t kick the bully, but finding some levity in the situation can be useful. If you have a good sense of humor, tap it and find a way to laugh — even in the crimson face of your tormentor. You’ll feel better and bullies hate to be laughed at. They may so resent your cheerful outlook that they leave you alone entirely!