How To Identify Bullying Behaviour in Politics

Identifying bullying at work can be difficult. Fortunately there is a place where you can see blatant examples of bullying behaviour - Politics.

If you are a senior politician, or perhaps even the leader, have a look at the "10 Signs You're Being Bullied At Work" given by Forbes in this article https://www.forbes.com/2008/03/22/health-bullying-office-forbeslife-cx_avd_0324health.html. It is in picture as well as (brief) text form, so easily accessible and digestible, whatever the pressures you are under.

For a really brief summary - here's my tailored list of the 10 signs you may be being bullied as a politician*:

1. Work Means Misery (for you, not your colleagues)
2. Constant Criticism (of you, not by you)
3. Lots of yelling (at you, not you at others)
4. Remembering Your Mistakes (mis-representing your successes)
5. Gossip And Lies (about you - not the ones you tell about others)
6. You’re Not Invited To Lunch Or Meetings (or visits to the Pope)
7. You Always Need Mental Health Days (to spend more time on foreign trips and missions)
8. Sabotage (of your work by others  - not you sabotaging them)
9. Impossible Schedules (e.g. last minute meetings arranged when you are unavailable)
10. Others take Credit for Your Work (an occupational hazard, I'm afraid)

*If you find that you are actually using these signs on others around you, YOU may be exhibiting bullying behaviour!

But what can you do, once you have identified that you are the victim of bullying? Acas provides some sensible advice here http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1864 for regular employees. However, you may simply have to move away from the situation. 

If you are a politician, your options are slightly different, popular options are:

1. Turn the tables on/Back-stab your opponent 
2. Switch sides/retire and write the insider's/whistleblower's story
3. Fulfill your desire to "Spend more time with your family"
4. Simply play more golf

On a lighter note. It was Milton Community Cafe day again today. Initially, attendance was low, till we realised that some of our regulars had not been picked up as usual, necessitating a quick dash out to collect the forgotten ones. Nathalie's cakes (chocolate cake, citrus drizzle tartlets and a fruity cheese flan) were delicious. I ended up on the games table playing a strategy game "St Petersburg". We were in the final stages - just as I was getting into a good position (or at least catching up on my opponents) - when it was suddenly it was time to pack up for the day.