The increase in bullying is a shocking indictment of the voluntary sector

I was out with a close friend last week who is the chief executive of a small charity. She is dynamic, passionate about her work and more than capable of doing her job. Exactly the sort of person the sector needs.

But she was out of sorts and when I asked why she told me she was having problems with her chairman. He was constantly undermining her, questioning her decision-making in front of colleagues and asking whether she thought she could actually do the job. In effect, he was bullying her.
 
She was recruited to take the charity in a new direction; to help raise its profile and to bring it into the 21st Century. Yet here she was losing her confidence, questioning her position and contemplating resigning.
 
Ironically, the next day I read the report in Third Sector that bullying is on the increase among charity employees – a shocking indictment of a sector that is supposedly so ‘caring’.

As someone who has first hand experience of bullying in the workplace (not in the charity sector) I feel strongly that any behaviour that makes a colleague feel worthless is completely unacceptable and should not be tolerated.

It has always been challenging to deal with such situations but as the economic climate becomes more difficult and jobs become less secure people are finding it more difficult to speak out.

I have been in this situation twice. On the first occasion I was a freelancer and wasn’t brave enough to say anything. Ten years on, I hear from other people that the same manager continues to behave in the same manner  to his colleagues, yet still remains in a well paid job. 

On the second occasion I did challenge the person in question – who had clearly never been tackled before – and their behaviour towards me changed immediately. 
 
So what did I advise my friend?  I reminded her just how wonderful and competent she was. I told her to create a list of all the things she’s achieved in her job and the difference she felt she had made.

I said that the next time she is faced with the chairman’s bullying behaviour she needed to take him to one side and take a stand.

If his negative attitude persists I think it is in her interest to make a decision what do to next. Life is too short and our health and happiness should take priority over any work matters.