That's a place to start.

The more detail the better. Keep a updated back up record at another location.
You'd be surprised how much you forget after even a week.

It's never too late to start documenting.

I went through a situation like this at my workplace close to 20 years ago, and wished that I had made the effort to write all of it down. Fortunately, the bullies ended up moving up and eventually out the door, but I know I would handle things differently today were I to encounter the same situation.

First of all do document everything.

Second---start looking for another job.

If your boss is your bully as it was in my case there is usually no option other than to leave.

Be aware that Human Resources is not necessarily your friend. Some companies endorse leadership through intimidation.

Document, document, document.

From the Workplace Bully Experts:

"Bullying is a systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction that jeopardizes your health, your career, the job you once loved. Bullying is a non-physical, non-homicidal form of violence and, because it is violence and abusive, emotional harm frequently results. You may not be the first person to have noticed that you were bullied. Check to see how many of these indicators match yours.

Remember, you did not cause bullying to happen. We've broken down the major reasons why bullies bully. The primary reason bullying occurs so frequently in workplaces is that bullying is not yet illegal. Bullying is four times more common than either sexual harassment or racial discrimination on the job.

Should you confront the bully? If you could have, you would have. Instead, use the WBI-suggested 3-Step Method. Remember, put your health first. Don't believe the lies told about you. Spend time with loved ones and friends. At times of debilitating stress like this, you must not be isolated. Isolation will only make the stress worse.

As we said, to date, no U.S. state has passed an anti-bullying law for the workplace.
Dr. Gary Namie & Dr. Ruth Namie"

I found these folks very helpful
http://www.workplacebullying.org/

I've been there...I know....

You also need to be very clear about what you mean when you say Bully. Can you document that they are treating you differently than other employees?

Frankly, I'm not someone who is generally hopeful for positive results in these situations. The Employer usually holds all the cards and in most cases a manager is more valuable to the company than a line staff...unless it's sexual harassment and he/she is then a big liability.

You may need to accept there is little you can do and move on. It sucks

I'm hoping to get a call back soon. That place is KILLING me. I am so stressed out I am having trouble knowing which way is up.

It's important you take good care of yourself and remind yourself that your work does not define you. You will get out of there. It's important to have a good "script" handy for those interviews and not let any anger seep through when they ask you why you are looking for a new job.

Plus I'm applying for jobs with Child Welfare. Kind of a dream. I wanted to be Maxine Gray (Judging Amy), not a Corporate Puppet. It shouldn't be hard to explain eloquently. =)

Boy... I empathize with you. When there is a bullying faction that is deeply entrenched--much like the high school cliques that we all bemoaned from our youth, there is so much damned protection for them that there is not much chance of prevailing. HR departments and most supervisor/managers will look upon YOU as the trouble maker, even if you have lots of documentation, because "after all, everything was running smoothly and no one ever complained before YOU"..... That's the very nature of these dysfunctional organizations that allow this kind of thing to occur and be sustained.

Management in these settings is usually largely very passive--and likes it that way. Conflict of any kind is going to upset their cushy little situation, that usually affords them to be absent in terms of any real active supervision. And, unfortunately, most of the overt misbehavior occurs with few or no witnesses. Workplace bullies are expert at that kind of thing, usually have "chits" on everyone who might protest, and have the manipulation game down pat. Especially if you are new, you could scarcely be in a weaker position, unless, perchance management considers you to bring irreplaceable skills to the job and would fight to keep you--which is generally not the perception--even if it should be. Managers that allow this kind of thing to happen are usually clueless--and worst, arrogant enough to think everyone is readily expendable. They will do this with even highly trained professionals that actually DO bring unique credentials, training, experience, capabilities to the job--because these kind of managers/supervisors are usually insecure themselves so it is important to THEM that they convey the message that YOU and everyone else are NOT indispensable or even that valued. It is a very nasty tool that they use to control.

Unless it becomes sexual harassment, racial discrimination, or physical, I'm afraid you may want to be on the lookout for other opportunities.

I'll just say I had a situation like this that spurred me to contact an old colleague that works in one of NYC's leading business/organizational consulting firms. Much of what I've said here is exactly what they told me. Unfortunately, I stayed long enough to prove them right and to suffer through some really bad periods. Lest you think that knuckling down and focusing on your own work and achievements will get you through this, even your small successes will often pose a perceived "threat" to the bullies who may well do everything possible to take credit or to overtly undermine/sabotage your efforts.

I think you may have a better chance if this is a big organization--maybe even be able to transfer with little said. But smaller, entrenched organizations with little turn over.... that's a real signal to be wary.

if you work for a large enough establishment you might be able to request being reassigned. If you have to stay, you will probably need to make it clear in front of witnesses that you do not appreciate their actions. Focus on what they do not whatever motivations you assign to it. "This action is not acceptable, please stop doing it." is probably better than "Pleas stop being mean (or bigoted or an asshole or whatever)" - if it's your boss this might be problematic to do so.

Had an issue with a guy who would get bored and then go around and mess with me (and others) shutting off their lights, slamming the door frame to make them jump, that sort of stuff. I finally had to have it out with him, at which point he got all hurt and said he "wouldn't talk to me no more." But he also stopped picking on me, which I guess is what I wanted.

Still feel uncomfortable at work though.

Bryant

It's a bit easier to confront a co worker who is the bully. You are right. If you do confront these behaviors it's best to be as specific and direct as possible and I recommend doing it in front of others.

I'm sorry you still feel uncomfortable in your work place.

.. by the Global Director of HR where she works. Good luck getting any more than lip-service when it comes to having an employer treat their slaves like human beings.

Capitalism at it's finest.

I had a boss fire me after screaming at me and slamming the door behind him.

I had a boss who screamed and jumped up and down while screaming at me.

All law firms.

I'm finally in an office where there are quiet people with measured tempers. Finally!

I had nowhere to go for assistance. All I could do was stay, quit, or get fired.

I worked for a partner once who literally stood at his desk one day, screamed and pushed everything on the desk onto the floor while I stood there. It was more like a scene from a movie than a real work place.

I said "I hope you know you're picking that up", and walked out the door.

Found another job in a matter of weeks and moved on. I realize that's not always an option for everyone, so I was lucky to have found a new job realtively soon. Life is just too short sometimes.

state or not, you may be in the position of either quitting or living with it. Either way, document it, because if in a RTW state, and decide to quit, you'll need to document a credible reason for quitting in order to get unemployment insurance till the next job. Also document, and put in writing to the supervisors of, or him/her directly if he/she is the person in ultimate power. You have to be able to prove you tried to be heard regarding your complaint.

Good luck. It's a lot of work to go through, many end up deciding just to go elsewhere, but that's so much harder these days. Once you start complaining, no matter how PC you are about it, the risk that everything will actually get worse. If you're a woman, multiply the negative potential by 3x or more.

If you can demonstrate a "hostile work environment" there may be recourse for you if you can demonstrate damages. I agree fully with the ones here who tell you that HR is not always your friend. The attorney you hire, however, might be your new best pal.

I survived a year in a hostile work environment. It got bad enough that it went public and then the REAL bad shit started going down. I had a knife broken off in my car tire and multiple issues with vandalism. Long story short, I ended up on both tranquilizers and antidepressants, unable to sleep, having panic attacks if it went dark where ever I was. The abuser was finally removed after he made multiple threats--we worked his last two weeks with police protection in our office.

I never filed suit, however, in retrospect, I should have. It might have ended it much sooner. Talk to an attorney. Seriously.



Laura

There is nothing you can do about it because the workplace does not work as a democracy. HR are fairly powerless. If it's a large company, the best they can do is get you a transfer when there is an opening in another department. If it's a small company and the bully is the owner, all you can do is look for another job.

And it absolutely does not have to be sexual harassment to be taken seriously. Unprofessional behavior, including outbursts of temper, ought to be taken very seriously by management (assuming the management is not the offending party) and by HR.

I posted here in GD to get some more input for someone who is really having a hard time.

Work place bullying is very serious. I worked at one place for 6 1/2 years and ended up dealing with PTSD for 10 years after. I am still a much shyer person, much quieter with other people than I ever was before my experience!

I definitely agree without all the points said so far - I'm researching how to file a claim with the state department of labor if things get worse than they already are.