For Targets


Bullying is a horrendous abuse issue in our schools and is now proving to be one of our best-kept corporate secrets. Bullying in the workplace is insidious, ongoing, and is quietly condoned by many individuals in management through non-action. They may not know what to do and so remain silent. Or, they truly believe that a bullying management style gets the best out of people.

Many in New Zealand management remain entrenched in industrial age positional power and control and it is their simple and proudly articulated belief that bullying is merely tough management. This belief is a naive stance and indicates a frightening lack of understanding of bullying and of leadership outcomes. Bullies are not managers tough or otherwise – they are simply bullies. Tough managers are fair, just, strong and results driven – not control driven.

Bullying continues to be accepted and seems to be escalating in New Zealand workplaces. The lack of action on workplace bullying ensures that it thrives on denial, misinformation, myth and, most importantly, the silencing of those who try to speak out.

A major issue seems to be that the targets -- individuals who are bullied -- are not believed. Responses from colleagues or senior management are often one of disbelief:

"I can’t believe that about George" or

"What did you do to upset him?" or

No – I’m sorry, I don’t believe that has happened. She would never say/do that" or

“Just toughen up – you’ll be right! She doesn’t mean any harm.” or

Disbelief by the Human Resources department and senior manager. or

Belief that this is no more than an autocratic manager squeezing the last drop of extra performance and production out of the employees.

Bullying in the workplace is described well by Tim Field in his book ‘Bully InSight'. His web site, www.bullyonline.org, provides descriptions of all types of bullying including information on how bullies select their targets, psychological profiles of the serial bully, strategies to address the bully, and much more.
Other sites that provide useful information have been identified on the Links page
This site will not cover the specifics of bullying at school however Links to helpful sites and information are provided.

Target Questionnaire

This questionnaire is provided to help you think through the behaviours to which you may have been subjected to at work. While the listing is by no means definitive, it does provide a comprehensive overview of the behaviours to which Targets are exposed. The specific behaviours listed below have been extrapolated from the behaviours of a Workplace Bully identified by Tim Field.
Rate yourself from 1-5 for each question. 1 = seldom 3 = often 5 = almost always

  1. Are you constantly criticised; subjected to nit-picking and trivial fault-finding
  2. Are you asked for explanations and proof of achievement which are then are ridiculed, overruled, dismissed or ignored
  3. Are you undermined, especially in front of others
  4. Are you having false concerns raised over your performance
  5. Are you isolated and excluded from what's happening; e.g. not invited to important meetings
  6. Are you treated differently from the rest of your colleagues
  7. Are you subjected to disparaging remarks about your work or personal life
  8. Are you humiliated especially in front of others
  9. Are you taunted where the intention is to embarrass and humiliate
  10. Are you set unrealistic goals which are unachievable and which are changed without notice or reason
  11. Are you denied information or resources necessary for undertaking work and achieving objectives
  12. Are you denied support by your manager and find yourself working in a management vacuum
  13. Are you overloaded with work making it harder to achieve targets
  14. Are you finding much of your work taken away to be replaced with inappropriate menial jobs
  15. Are you finding your responsibility increased but authority removed
  16. Are you having work plagiarised intentionally
  17. Are you given the silent treatment: refusal to communicate and avoidance of eye contact
  18. Are you blamed unfairly
  19. Are you receiving instructions only via email, memos, or a succession of post-it notes
  20. Are you subjected to excessive monitoring, micro-management


View your scores for each question and compare your totals to the explanation below.

Primarily 1’s and 2’s
You are possibly being subjected to some basic Workplace Bully behaviour. While you are cautioned to be on guard, there is nothing major - yet!

Primarily 3’s with some 2’s and 4’s
The Workplace Bullying is increasing and the small incidents will be more frequent. You should start journaling (documenting) the content and nature of the interaction between you and the potential Workplace Bully - see Chapter 15 of the book* for detailed assistance. Often one does not know there is a pattern of behaviour occurring except in hindsight. Do not wait for hindsight - determine now if a pattern of behaviour is emerging. If it does, then you are very likely being Workplace Bullied. Begin to protect yourself.

You score more than 50-% 4’s and 5’s
With this level of scoring, It is highly likely that you are the Target of a chronic Workplace Bully. If senior management do not address the Workplace Bully’s behaviour, then you may be better to think of alternatives for you. See Chapter 15 of the book* for detailed assistance and talk to a counsellor who specialises in this area. Call a mediator or a lawyer - again select one who specialises in this area. You need to take action to safeguard yourself and your family.