When we think of bullying, the clichés of schoolyard taunts might spring to mind. Yet as we learn more about the wide-ranging techniques of bullying, it is clear that this deeply complex phenomenon can be hard to pin down.
For example, being ignored, or made an outcast in any situation – ‘sent to Coventry’ – can be highly distressing. This insidious brand of social bullying unfortunately arises in many workplaces, causing pain and anxiety for victims.
what is bullying?
Bullying can be physical (including hitting or even destroying property), verbal, cyber (such as bullying on social media), and social.
A person being ‘Sent to Coventry’ is a form of social bullying.
So what do we mean by a person being ‘Sent to Coventry’? Historically the phrase appears during the English Civil War when prisoners would be sent to the eponymous North-Western City for punishment, and experienced isolating treatment by locals. But how does this tend to manifest as workplace bullying?
Picture this: on the surface, the workplace looks pleasant. There is occasional chatter and people seem content. But look closer – on Friday lunch excursions, one person appears to be ignored by the others as they leave. In meetings this person’s colleagues seem to ignore their ideas, or quietly mock them when they have the courage to speak. They have also mysteriously been kept off the roster except for a few skeleton shifts… and so on.
These are classic moves of ostracism as a weapon for workplace bullying. Left unmonitored, such behaviour can lead to severe stress and mental health problems for the outcast employee.
The worker might originally have committed a ‘sin’ in the eyes of co-workers – perhaps told management about colleagues misconduct, or appears to be given special treatment. On some level, one or more workers have judged this as being unforgivable, leading to a long and toxic period of unrelenting silence, mockery and isolation.
bullying women, bullying men
What are the gender differences when it comes to social bullying? Unfortunately, this more covert behaviour seems to be a particular feature of female-to-female bullying.
The phrase ‘deafening silence’ sums up the effect of this form of workplace bullying, where a worker is deliberately placed on the outside of a work group dynamic by one or more of their colleagues.
The mechanisms are often subtle, and certainly challenging for management and workplace investigators to detect or prove. Yet by their very nature, stealthy and outwardly ambiguous bullying tactics in the form of ostracism and freezing-out can be painful and injurious for the victims of such attacks.
Men can also engage in subtle forms of social bullying, but are more likely to add overt actions as they bully a fellow worker. Particularly where rank or divisions enable such bullying, male offenders might sabotage the atmosphere and opportunities for targeted colleagues, later escalating to overt physical and verbal abuse.
pulling rank – the hierarchical workplace
In the armed forces, emergency services and police, there is an opportunity for those in particular positions to ‘close ranks’ as a form of workplace bullying. For the victims of such behaviour, equipment can mysteriously go missing and vital operational information can ‘somehow’ bypass the bullied person. Aggressive taunts are also more likely in rank-based organisations.
questioning what is true
Most ‘quiet’ forms of workplace bullying seem to evaporate when management or a workplace investigator shows up. Also, consummate ‘Coventry’ bullies will sometimes alternate their attacks with neutral or even pleasant exchanges with the bullied worker.
The victim is left on the back foot, unsure of what is real or imagined and often quickly becoming susceptible to both functional and mental decline as a result. Such ‘gas lighting’ attacks often cause the most long-term harm to a worker.
Investigators must be vigilant in exploring alleged workplace bullying of this type. Common mistakes in the field can be when those investigating warm to often-extroverted perpetrators; bullies are masters of manipulation and can at times seem charming.
Conversely, the worker claiming bullying might appear nervy and unclear in their communication – perhaps even a little ‘odd’ compared to other workers. Rather than using this as a basis for dismissing the allegations, the history and behaviours behind all interviews must be carefully collated and compared with utmost objectivity. Indeed, the unusual presentation of a worker might in fact indicate a reaction to the effects of a covert system of workplace bullying.
Gathering evidence from multiple witnesses will often assist in identifying if there have been any patterns of behaviour from the perpetrators.
When it comes to claims that a worker has been ‘Sent to Coventry’ and subjected to social workplace bullying, it is important to approach the ensuing workplace investigation with care.
WISE Workplace is happy to assist you with any queries you might have regarding the right way to investigate any alleged workplace bullying incident. We offer unbiased, professional investigation services, carried out by a qualified and experienced team.
Content retrieved from: http://www.wiseworkplace.com.au/_blog/WISE_Blog/post/i-was-sent-to-coventry-and-other-social-bullying-techniques/.