April 12th
Interesting timing at my current work. On Friday after 5 pm we received an email communication from HR with the title — “Anti-mobbing procedures”. Very thorough communication with a PDF booklet, a video prepared by a law firm, and all the contact information regarding reporting and standing up to mobbing in our workplace, but…
It was sent on the Friday afternoon when no one is still at work, not many people would have time or interest to check emails on the weekend and on Monday morning when it would be a good time to read it and discuss it among us — there are so much work and meetings that no one could actually get engaged in this subject…. Interesting and very curious timing from HR to send this very important communication at that exact time. It is almost like they didn’t want people to talk about it…
And mobbing is a huge problem, not only at my workplace but globally. I have experienced it myself — even from my current boss (who curiously had changed her behavior in the last couple of weeks, almost like she knew that this kind of communication will be forthcoming internally at work). I’ve never reported it, honestly, I never thought about taking any legal action — either with HR or outside lawyers. I think my biggest problem was a fear of retaliation — not just from a person who I would accuse of mobbing but also from her colleagues and other managers.
And mobbing was one of the biggest reasons for the lack of my self-esteem and self-worth that I only now slowly rebuild. I don’t want to blame the mobbing I experienced as the sole reason for my addiction, but it was an important reason — especially once being in that mobbing spiral when I was looking for any ways to forget what was happening to me and forget my inability to counter it. Mobbing was feeding my self-loathing — I mean I knew there were no reasons to question my professional abilities, but I didn’t feel strong enough to stand up for myself and defend my dignity.
I feel completely different now — I was able to talk back to my boss, I was able to counter her baseless accusations, and I’ve noticed that it worked. Her behavior towards me is more respectful now, more partner-like. And that makes a huge difference in the way I work, and I feel in a place where I spend at least 8 hours a day. I am much more relaxed and at ease, and the quality of my work improved a lot. A win-win for everybody. Too bad it has to be legislated by official work rules.
