A Workplace Bully

Kanika strained her neck & looked at the skyscraper. She felt the same punch of anxiety as she did on the first day of work as a fresher. After a half a year stint abroad at a client location, she had returned to the home office. While she was away, most of the team had shuffled. A couple of them had moved up the ladder; a few left the firm, some moved to a different project, one on maternity leave & so on. Only a handful of known teammates were around. As she stepped into the building & rode up the elevator, she drew deep breaths. She recollected her assignment & concluded that she survived a problematic client. She sailed through harsh weather, bland food, relinquished beverages as they served only black coffee & dealt with obstinate people. Back now, she was at home ground; she could hit a home run.

She walked the familiar corridor, which improved her mood & instilled confidence. The aroma of freshly milled coffee beans filled the hallway & it brought a smile onto her face. She looked forward to relishing strong filter coffee with milk later in the day. The smile stuck to her face as she swiped her access card & entered the bay. She walked up to her old cabin & looked around. She greeted familiar ones & introduced herself to the new teammates. A few weeks passed & she seemed to have settled well with the team. They were friendly & accommodating, religiously caught up twice a day for hot beverages & lunch.

However, the team lead, Aslam, seemed a little aloof. No one spoke to him unless necessary & they avoided him on any trips to the cafeteria. She noted this act & made a note to enquire when Sheetal returned from vacation. One evening, Aslam joined the team for a beverage break. The group seemed slightly apprehensive. Though Kanika noticed the shift in the aura, she pondered what would unfold. Aslam pronounced that he had submitted his resignation. A new team lead would take up his place in a few weeks.

Everyone seemed to speak at once in congratulating him. Kanika could not fathom why no one asked, "We will miss you. Why are you leaving the job?" She added this to the list of mental notes to discuss with Sheetal. Kanika was intrigued & eagerly waited for Sheetal's return. The team collectively left the cafeteria & boarded the elevator. As the elevator rode up, Aslam stated, "I'm glad to leave the firm as you are all my enemies." Kanika swiftly turned towards Aslam, who grinned as though he had climbed Everest without a cylinder of oxygen. She looked around; everyone seemed upset, but no one flinched. She couldn't understand how someone could pass such a mean comment? What alarmed her was that no one even blinked at the statement. It dawned on her why the team avoided him all along. He had made his mark, Strike one.

The following Friday, Aslam repeated the comment & no one reacted. It made perfect sense to her why the teammates congratulated him for leaving. His score was at Strike two. Kanika spent a disturbing weekend reflecting, "Why would someone be such a bully? He does not even care that the workplace has zero-tolerance towards such behaviour? No work etiquettes, that too as a lead? Why were people tolerating this behaviour?" The following Monday, though Kanika hoped Aslam would not repeat his statement, she entered office with a resolve. If her teammates were not going to stand up, she would. All-day, Aslam was busy with meetings & Kanika was glad that there was no interaction with him. Unfortunately, that evening a late client call was scheduled & the team had to stay back. While they all waited for the client to join the call, Aslam declared, "I'm looking forward to my last day here. I plan to go on a long vacation before I join the next firm." The team only nodded & smiled.

Aslam continued, "Thank god, I do not have to deal with this team of enemies." She reasoned, "That's it. Strike three!" Her temper rose sharply; she bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her words. Aslam's villainous laugh only hardened her grit. She cooly stated, "I'm glad that the feeling is mutual." All heads turned towards her & Aslam's laugh came to an abrupt halt. She sat leaned back on a chair with folded arms & an ear-to-ear wide smirk. Aslam was stumped & he had no time to understand what had happened. Even before he could think of something to say, the client joined; he stuttered & ran the call.

The next day, Sheetal was back from vacation; Kanika shared everything that had occurred last week. At the same time, Sheetal drank water from a copper-coated bottle, Kanika narrated the previous evening's incident. Sheetal spat the water on the floor & Kanika was swift to have retreated. Sheetal coughed, put the bottle on the table & wiped her mouth with a tissue. Sheetal questioned, "Unbelievable. Did you say that to Aslam? In the presence of the whole team?" Kanika shrugged & replied, "Firstly, I'm glad you spat on the floor & not my face. Next time, I will share such stories when you aren't drinking or eating. Secondly, I did say it to him. If he can say to someone, someone else will return the favour; he better stomach it." A concerned Sheetal enquired, "What if he complains against you?" Kanika smirked & responded, "I dare him." Kanika turned her attention towards the computer monitor & Sheetal mulled over the incident.

Later in the day, during a coffee break, Kirthi said, "Kanika, your last evening's reply deserved a standup ovation." Kanika smiled & sipped hot filter coffee. Kirthi added, "You are a daring person." Kanika replied, "It is not daring. There is only so much I can tolerate. How can he pass such comments? Why don't you people do anything about it?" Each one of the team had a reason, "I am new to the firm. He is the lead; how can we say anything or complain against him? What can we do?" Kanika rubbed her forehead with her left palm. She said, "Remember that you work for the organization, not the lead, manager, or anyone else. We cannot let someone bully & get away with it."

The next set of reasons came up, "It is my promotion year, I do not want to face any repercussions. What if my appraisal feedback is negative & my salary hike & bonus is affected? My job is vital; I have loans to pay up & cannot risk. What if I get fired?" Kanika remarked, "I understand that all have responsibilities & liabilities. You people talk as though you are all bonded laborers. In case there are repercussions, look for another job & move out. This firm & job is not the end of the world." Sheetal stated, "Not all can think & act on it like you." Kanika remarked, "When we don't act, the bullying will continue & will only go up a notch with time. We are indirectly setting up a poor standard at the workplace." Samira stated, "Anyways, he is leaving. Why worry about him?" No one had anything else to say & they departed from the cafeteria. Kanika let out a silent prayer, "None of these people are going to speak up; don't make me fight it solo. Please, God, let the next one not be like the current one. "

The following morning, the team manager had called in for a meeting. A simple catch-up meeting turned out to be a grilling session for Aslam. The manager was relentless in her questions & follow-ups. She was a typical no-nonsense lady with a mind that raced like a cheetah. She was of the type who cut the chase & went straight for the kill. Aslam's beating up made the team happy. Once she had the necessary details, she left the conference room. Aslam's anger flared & stated with wounded ego, "I wonder how her husband puts up with her?" Kanika was on the verge of stepping out; she paused to realise that it was time for a home run. She held the opened door in one hand & stationery in the other. She looked him in the eye & instantly uttered, "Same as how your wife puts up with you."

Take Away:

• Beware of what is said to a friend, who may spit right at one's face on hearing an interesting (funny/shocking) conversation..

• As the famous quote goes, people leave people, not the firm.

• Some people are nasty because they know that no one will stop them.