Workplace Bullying Tactics

 

In a recent post, blogger Jonathan Rice stated that "bullying" is not a retention strategy (or at least not an effective one) by discussing the problems with restrictive clauses in employment contracts.

While this perhaps can be seen as stating the obvious, bullying tactics still commonly occur in the business world. Rice says that the only reasoning behind such tactics could be to deter other employees from resigning out of fear of how they will be treated. 

But do bullying tactics actually work? The answer is no.

 

The key to staff retention is getting employees to want to work for you, not feel obliged to or forced in some way. And bullying tactics - including harassment, monitoring and virtually micro-managing their workloads - are definitely not going to induce this. Furthermore, studies show that these tactics result in a decrease in staff motivation which has a flow on effect, leading to a decrease in productivity. So really, bullying tactics do nothing except damage your staff and your business!

Rice says employers need to create "vibrant, energised and positive workplaces that inspire collaboration and open communication and thereby engender the trust, respect and loyalty of your employees". This is the key to helping keep your employees motivated, excited and engaged, and will result in a happier working environment, a better work/life balance and subsequently increased productivity levels