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I understand how challenging it can be to navigate life when faced with bullying behaviour. In the UK, workplace bullying is unfortunately all too common.  25% of all employees have experienced bullying in the past 5 years, according to a study by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) [1].  That is very shocking to me because I know from personal experience, the price this costs those on the receiving end to their mental health, their career and their physical and emotional wellbeing.  

 

Research from the University of Manchester [2] has also highlighted the profound impact of workplace bullying on health and relationships. Employees who experience bullying are more likely to suffer from stress, anxiety, and depression, which can have long-lasting consequences on their physical and mental well-being. Workplace bullying can strain personal relationships, leading to feelings of isolation and withdrawal from social activities not just in the short term but even long term due to developing a fear of people and trusting social relationships.

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Chronic exposure to elevated cortisol levels can of course contribute to a range of health problems, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and impaired immune function. Persistent feelings of anxiety and fear resulting from workplace bullying can exacerbate existing mental health conditions or lead to the development of new ones, including experiencing significant symptoms of trauma.  Trauma is often resultant and correlated to powerlessness and a lack of escape routes. Of course many of us simply can't walk away from our employers and we need references and to pay mortgages or rent.

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How can counselling help me if I've been bullied?

As a counsellor and mindfulness/EFT teacher, my first goal is to provide you with a safe and supportive environment to explore your experiences of workplace bullying and its impact on your life. Processing and talking through the experience, finding compassion and empathy, is just the start of a journey out of a toxic situation.

 

Together, we can work on strategies to cope with the immediate effects of bullying, such as developing healthy coping mechanisms for your body, work on strategies to manage anxiety and fear and work towards setting boundaries to protect your well-being.  Working together, you really be empowered to reclaim your sense of agency and resilience in the face of adversity. 

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Utilising mindfulness techniques, Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), and insightful listening, I am here to guide you towards empowerment and grounding during this emotionally upsetting and stressful phase.  My approach is aimed at helping you to understand some of the cognitive, psychological, physical and emotional roots of your reactions and at play in the dynamics, helping you navigate and alleviate the anxiety and experience more calm so you can plan your responses and actions to find a new job, raise a complaint or even to ask someone at work to help you to talk to managers or HR.

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With a foundation of non-judgment and compassion, my aim is to provide you with a safe and confidential space to express yourself freely and manage the myriad of experiences you are no doubt going through.  I believe walking with someone through these experiences minimises the impact of the bullying.

 

Offer

No-one should feel unsafe or bullied at work.  I look forward to helping you have a better experience at work and taking back control.  Costs are on my counselling page.  Counselling packages and concessions are available.

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Worst places to work for bullying:

Healthcare Sector: Approximately 30% of healthcare professionals report experiencing workplace bullying [1].
Education Sector:  Around 25% of teachers and educational staff have experienced workplace bullying [2].
Hospitality Industry: An estimated 20-25% of hospitality workers report being bullied at work [3].
Retail Sector: Approximately 18% of retail employees have experienced workplace bullying [4].
Public Services: Around 22% of public sector workers have reported being bullied in the workplace [5].
Corporate Sector: Studies suggest that 20-25% of employees in corporate environments experience workplace bullying [6].

Please note that these percentages are approximate and may vary depending on the specific study or survey methodology. Additionally, workplace bullying can occur in any sector or industry, and these figures represent general trends observed in the UK.

 

References:

Trade Union Congress (TUC), "Nearly a quarter of UK workers have been bullied in last five years, TUC poll finds," 2019.

University of Manchester, "The effects of workplace bullying on psychological health," 2020.

Royal College of Nursing (RCN), "Workplace bullying in the NHS: Prevalence, impact and role of managers," 2018.
National Education Union (NEU), "Workload, pay and job satisfaction in the education sector," 2020.
Unite the Union, "The truth behind the hospitality industry: Workers speak out," 2019.
USDAW, "Bullying in retail: The experiences of USDAW members," 2017.
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), "Employee Outlook: Focus on bullying and harassment," 2019.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), "Bullying and harassment at work: A guide for managers and employers," 2019.

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