commentr/StutterOctober 17, 2024

Content

Hi, I am sorry you are being bullied at your workplace. I can imagine how hard it must be for you. Our work forms a considerable part of our lives, and having a toxic work environment can really take a toll on us. You should start by making notes of every instance when this person tries to bully you. Write down the date, the time, and specific details about the bullying. Once you have some evidence, draft an email to HR with these instances attached. This is very important because you don't want your email or complaint to sound vague and broad, such that the whole issue could be turned around on you by the HR or the perpetrator. When you have specific instances on record, it would be very hard for the HR or the bully to challenge it, especially when it's a series of such events. Instead of saying, "I feel bullied, XYZ is making fun of my stutter.", your email should be specific: "On 03 September 2024, when I went to XYZ to talk about ABC topic, they mocked my stutter by mimicking my stutter and laughing out aloud." This would put pressure on the HR department to act against this individual. If your company does not have a HR department, then I would talk to the owner or your manager about this issue - all of it in writing. It is important that this be addressed in writing so that you can have a chain of communication - so that they cannot ignore your complaint or downplay it. You need to take the power back from the bully. They are spitting venom and you are lapping it up. This isn't school, and we aren't kids; you need to set firm boundaries and let the bully know that this will not fly. You deserve respect, and sometimes you need to demand it.

Themes

Coping & AdvocacySchool & Work

Subthemes

Self-Advocacy & BoundariesEmployment & Career