Resilient at the workplace

Inappropriate behaviour occurs everywhere, and you can also have to deal with this in your workplace. The most common forms of inappropriate behaviour are: Bullying, discrimination, sexual intimidation and aggression. More attention is now being paid to this. Incidents in the sports, politics and TV world were front page news. Most organizations have policies in which inappropriate behaviour is not accepted. When people analyze the safety of their own workplace, you often hear ‘That doesn’t happen to us’ or ‘That’s just how we treat each other’ and ‘It’s just a joke’. Nevertheless, research shows that 1 in 5 employees in the Netherlands sometimes experiences situations with undesirable behaviour. So there is still work to be done! Read the tips from our trainers on how to increase your resilience.

1. Know what inappropriate behaviour is.
   Does your organization have a protocol in which the inappropriate policy is established? Make sure you are aware of the protocol and discuss it with your colleagues. The protocol invariably states ‘Zero tolerance’. But what does that mean for you and your colleagues? The basic principle here is that, it is not the intention of the perpetrator that matters, but how the recipient experiences it. What one person finds funny, another may find unpleasant.
2. Indicate your limit!
   Recognize your personal limit of what is and what is not acceptable and dare to indicate your limit. In general, we find this difficult and we often choose not to say anything, with all the consequences that entails. The perpetrator may not be aware of the effect of the behavior on you. Naming your boundary and what the behavior does to you can ensure that the other person stops the transgressive behavior. If you find this exciting to do, practice what you want to say with a friend or family member. Does your organization have a confidential adviser? Then enable them to discuss what is the best approach for you.
3. Set a good example!
   A better world starts with you. Analyze your own behavior in the workplace. Do you ever do something that others may not find pleasant? If you feel that a colleague is a bit left out, ask how he or she is doing and really take the time to listen to their story. Be vulnerable, share your concerns and tell them what’s bothering you.
4. Take care of yourself.
   If you’ve been involved in inappropriate behavior, make sure you look for distraction in the things you enjoy. Find distraction by meeting up with friends, make known what you have experienced and talk about it. Another way of distraction can be sports. Go on a (combat) sport. Gain more confidence and develop a powerful feeling. Not only does this make you feel more powerful in a future situation with inappropriate behavior, but it also gives you a fit and healthy body! In addition, exercise is also very good for your mental health.

Do you want to know more?
Would you like to know how we can help you, your colleagues or your organization to increase resilience in the workplace? Please contact Marlous via m.nieuwveen@moovs.nl.