“You should know better.” That was the ominous text message Laura, a registered nurse at a large medical facility, received from 20 people at 11 a.m. one morning …
She was amazed. What was happening? He wondered. What did the message mean? And why would someone, let alone 20 people, text you the same message?
Laura went home that night shocked and perplexed. After a sleepless night, he found out. He had only been at work for a week. He had replaced a popular supervisor, who had abruptly left without explanation. Her employer had assured Laura that his staff would accept her. Obviously, they hadn’t.
Laura’s co-workers were taking advantage of an electronic means of workplace bullying, relatively new to the workplace. Laura was the target of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that uses technology, such as mobile phones, email, or the Internet, for example. While the term was first applied to teens, it is also quickly being used to apply it to behavior that adults are experiencing in the workplace.
Cyberbullying can take workplace bullying to a new level. We all know how quickly emails can spread information. Imagine how the word spreads when emails or text messages spread unverified rumors about a target.
Additionally, when workplace bullying typically pits one bully against one target, cyberbullying can easily take the form of cyberbullying where there are many people against one target. All that workplace bullies need to know is your email address or phone number. They can remain anonymous under an assumed email identity or block your number when called.
Knowing this, here is what you can do to stop cyberbullying or even cyberbullying:
o Save emails that contain bullying messages. Your business may have a way to find out who owns that account, and then you can block that email address from sending you anything. Additionally, the email can serve as evidence that you are being bullied.
o Do not use your work email address for anything other than work. Set up a different email account for personal use.
o Don’t tell your “friends” online (the ones you meet through social networking sites) the name of your business. It’s relatively easy to find out someone’s work email address if you know their name and the company they work for.
o Find out if your email program has a filter that allows only those on your “safe” list to send you emails. They must be approved by you. Download an email verification program from the Internet to ensure that you are in control of who sends you emails. Any unknown sender has to send you a request first; You can accept or reject any request for an email address.
o When it comes to texting, you can also block phone numbers, once you identify a stalker’s number. Just call your cell phone company to fix the lock.
Cyberbullying is a very passive form of bullying. It is as serious as any other form of workplace harassment and has the potential to be even more insidious. You can take steps to block and verify who is communicating with you to regain some control. Remember, the nature of the bully is to try to take your power because he feels he doesn’t have his. You don’t have to give them anything and you have every right to set these personal limits. You are worth it!
