Nurse Slayer from Ga-Rankuwe writes…
Liewe Lulu
I am a nurse (27) and work in a Cathlab at a hospital in Ga-Rankuwa. I am treated well for the most part and get along with my peers wonderfully. But I have two colleagues who are bullies in the department.
My strategy has always been to avoid them as much as humanly possible because there is no pleasing them. They are mean, condescending and have brought multiple people to tears. They are also the most senior staff in the department. Management is aware of the countless conflicts. We do not have a manager in our department and the role is split between the two bullies in the interim. I’m looking for advice for the best way to deal with them when they are nasty to me.
I hate confrontation and do not wish to stoop to their level, but at the same time I want to be respected as a person. I am very quiet, and I think I come off as either a stubborn person or a complete pushover.
Should I continue ignoring it and killing them with kindness? I really am quite lost on what I should do.
My dearest Nurse Slayer
Adulthood is full of monstrous colleagues, my baby! You just need to learn how to navigate those toenails of Satan. Do not ignore them. Do not pretend you didn’t hear it if it hurt you. This is a boundary-setting exercise. They are testing your boundaries and finding out what is okay, and what is not.
Workplace bullying can lead to health concerns, undue stress, and low productivity at work – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With that said, it’s important to take appropriate steps to handle bullying at work to support your wellbeing.
There are consequences for misbehaviour in the workplace, especially when you are in the business of saving lives. Keep a record of all incidents, taking notes on dates and times, potential witnesses and what was done.
I would also suggest that you take a witness with you when you stand up for yourself and address your grievance once it happens again. Find out what the hospital policy is for workplace bullying and move through the relevant channels – even if it means HR must handle it.
Think of them as dragons that you must slay to level up and reach new heights. You are on a journey, love what you do, and no one should get in the way of you and your goals.
This is your time for some personal growth. If we feel disrespected, we must stand up for ourselves. We are not on a playground where bullies once thrived. We also do not buy in on their tactics of getting loud, raising our voices, getting angry and belittling others.
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Liewe Lulu is Health For Mzansi’s agony aunty. The content in this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical and/or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition.
