Along the
way, I’ve given lots of advice on how to cope with workplace bullying and how
to move on, but I’ve never been able to prescribe a magic pill: that elusive
panacea that can put all things right.
I resigned
myself to the sad fact that there were some unpleasant truths targets of
workplace bullying have to learn to live with.
Over the last
year, there has been a significant challenge to this mindset and, as a result,
I find myself unusually sentimental. A former boss and partner in a law firm
has done something completely unexpected. I’ve talked of this boss previously
in blog posts. After giving it some thought, he offered to try and put things
right for me. At first, I suspected it would only be a month or two before he
changed his mind or made his excuses and disappeared.
On the
contrary, he only grew more determined. While it’s fantastic that the legal
issues have been successfully resolved, my sentiment stems from how touched I am
by his commitment and how vehemently he argued on my behalf. I didn’t realise
how much I needed that. I didn’t realise how much emotional baggage I was
quietly still dragging around with me. The workplace bullying I went through
and the initial attempt to take action was a grim period, but one that is
firmly in the past and I can even say, largely thanks to him, that everything
worked out in the end. I’m able to say I’m over it.
So this week,
I thought it would be good to remind ourselves of the good bosses out there –
and they are out there – the bosses who support staff who are seriously ill or
going through a time of personal upheaval. These are bosses who know that hard
times can be temporary and gratitude is often long lasting. It’s easy to forget
these great bosses are out there when you’re working for someone who is a
sadistic so-and-so. It’s so easy to think: ‘better the devil you know’.
I didn’t ever
say I had the answer to workplace bullying but, take it from me, a great boss is
the antidote. Make it your mission to go and find one!
Very best
wishes
BBTB
