Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

Be Honest: Are You the Office Bully? Take the quiz to find out.

By Ross McCammon

This story appears in the September 2016 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »

Pixabay

Last year I was a guest on an NPR call-in talk show to discuss workplace etiquette. Most calls were about shaking hands, conducting meetings, asking for a raise, recovering from calling your boss by your wife's name. (Maybe that's just me.) It was light and funny, until one caller asked for advice about being shunned by her coworkers. They would gather near her desk, talking about work she was involved in without asking her to weigh in. They never invited her to lunch or after-work drinks. When she brought up her feelings, her colleagues dismissed and mocked her. She felt unimportant and ostracized. And she sounded deeply distressed.

I felt ill-equipped to answer the question. I stammered out a reply. I made a joke. (She didn't laugh.) The show's host suggested that she record these instances and, if they continued, alert a supervisor. The host labeled the behavior as "bullying." Which at first struck me as infantilizing.

This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+ today for access

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

Too many entrepreneurs are counting too heavily on a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Money & Finance

What Are The Safest Investment Options for Earning a Good Return Over Time? A Financial Expert Explains.

In times of financial uncertainty, these options can provide a safe and reliable way to invest your money.

Business News

Opening a New McDonald's Franchise Will Be More Expensive in 2024

Starting January 1, franchise royalty fees will rise from 4% to 5% for new locations in the U.S. and Canada.

Business News

Here's the Secret to Growing Your Small Business, According to Execs at UPS, Airbnb, Mastercard, and Other Big Brands

These 10 executives work at big companies, overseeing programs that help small business. Here's the advice they wish all small business owners were getting.

Leadership

How to Master Decision-Making in a World Full of Options

Use these seven practical strategies to make more effective business choices.

Leadership

This Leadership Style Is Redefining Success in the Modern Business World

Adopting this leadership style takes continuous growth but leads to remarkable success, both financially and qualitatively, enriching our world.