Workplace Bullying: Report and Analysis of Case Study - Leadership

This report analyzes a workplace bullying scenario involving a university employee, Chris, and her colleagues. The assignment identifies the behaviors constituting bullying, such as offensive language and isolation, and examines how the university's policies apply to the situation. Several options for resolving the dispute are presented, including direct communication, seeking advice from supervisors, mediation, and formal complaints to the Human Resources department. The report also discusses the benefits and potential risks associated with each option, such as the possibility of the bully refusing mediation or the potential negative impact of a formal complaint on the department. The report aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of workplace bullying and its effective management.

Running head: OPTIONS FOR WORKPLACE BULLYING 1
Options for Workplace Bullying
Name
Institutional Affiliation

OPTIONS FOR WORKPLACE BULLYING 2
Options for Workplace Bullying
Reasons why the policy applies to Chris and her situation.
The policy applies to Chris because she is undergoing repeated and unfavorable treatment
by her fellow cooks and her supervisor, Brian. This is obviously an inappropriate and
unreasonable practice in the workplace because the behaviors include humiliation. More so, the
types of behaviors experienced by Chris are closely related to those stated in the policy. These
behaviors include belting opinion and constant criticism, this is seen where Alex criticizes the
menu which was put together by Chris terming it as boring, outdated and hated by students.
Alex also uses offensive language to describe the menu and this behavior is not tolerated
in the policy. Chris is isolated by her colleagues due to Alex’s remarks as well his demeaning
talks about her which have further damaged her interaction, training and career development in
the workplace. Going further, this policy applies to Chris because Brian, the supervisor has failed
to promote a workplace which is free from intimidation.
Options that Chris has in resolving the dispute
a) Chris should talk to Alex and her fellow cooks about the bullying and the ways she feels
isolated while she is at work.
b) Should seek advice from the person in charge of university workers now that Brian, the
supervisor has failed to address the issue and even made it worse by endorsing Alex as the next
supervisor after he retires.

OPTIONS FOR WORKPLACE BULLYING 3
c) Chris can also seek to resolve the bullying issue via mediation where her request should be
made to the manager who will ensure that the complainant reaches an agreement with the
accused.
d) Chris should seek assistance from a bullying adviser who will most likely suggest the most
appropriate way of handling the matter.
e) Chris should make a formal complaint to the head of the Human Resource department. This
complaint should be well written and detailed so that it can provide sufficient information.
Benefits and risks of the options.
a) Because one of the options is mediation, Chris should think or needs to be aware of the fact
that Alex can refuse to participate or even withdraw from the mediation process.
b) Facing the bully is an informal way of resolving the issue, the risk is that Alex will most
likely disregard Chris’s claims and things might even get worse.
c) If Chris makes a formal complaint to the Human Resource director, he might request for
further investigation. This is another risk because it will paint a bad picture of the
accommodation department especially the kitchen.
d) The benefit of visiting a bullying advisor is that he will be able to advise Chris on the best
possible solution to handle the matter. This will help in reducing consequences related to rush
decisions.