Bullied at work
Unfortunately, bullying in the workplace happens more often than you might think. It can damage your self-confidence, cause stress, and completely take away the joy you once had in your job. Bullying can take many forms, such as:
- Verbal bullying – insults, name-calling, humiliation, or constant criticism
- Social exclusion – being ignored, left out of team activities or conversations
- Work-related bullying – being deliberately left out of important information, having your work sabotaged, or receiving unfair criticism
- Bullying by a manager – micromanaging, unrealistic demands, or being denied promotions and opportunities
- Cyberbullying – hurtful emails, gossip on social media, or being mocked in group chats
Sometimes bullying is subtle: your efforts go unrecognized, you’re constantly put down with small, cutting remarks, or you’re the target of ‘jokes’ that make you feel insecure.
Feeling alone in this situation can be overwhelming. Would you like to find out how coaching can help you feel stronger, more confident, and back in control? Feel free to reach out for a no-obligation advice.
What workplace bullying can do to you
Being bullied at work can have serious mental and physical consequences. Mentally, you may experience ongoing stress, anxiety, overthinking, or even depression. That constant feeling of fear and uncertainty can affect your focus and decision-making. Emotionally, you may feel powerless and isolated, which can impact your relationships with kind colleagues, friends, and family.
Physically, bullying can lead to psychosomatic symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, heart palpitations, and even chronic issues like high blood pressure or stomach problems. If bullying continues over a long period, the risk of burnout or even post-traumatic stress increases.
Professionally, you may notice a drop in productivity, make more mistakes, or feel less committed to your work. You may also develop long-term trust issues with colleagues and future workplaces, making it harder to be your authentic self at work. In some cases, it can lead to long-term sick leave or even job loss, putting your finances or career at risk.
Coaching Process – Support after workplace bullying
This coaching process is designed to help you emotionally process the bullying you have experienced or are experiencing, rebuild your self-confidence and resilience, and if necessary develop a clear plan for returning to work.
The process generally consists of four phases and usually involves between eight to twelve sessions:
- Intake and assessment
We start by exploring how the bullying occurred or takes place and what mental and physical effects you may be experiencing. This helps us understand your needs and tailor the coaching to your personal situation. - Emotional processing
This is the phase where you’re given space to share and process your experiences. If emotions are intense, I may use trauma-informed techniques like EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy) or EMDR. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is also used to break through negative thought patterns and stop the cycle of overthinking. - Rebuilding confidence & resilience
In this phase, we focus on strengthening your self-image and assertiveness. Regaining a sense of control and resilience often starts with expressing your needs clearly and setting healthy boundaries. We also work with the concept of ‘protective anger’ – an empowering emotion that helps you stand up for yourself. - Return-to-work strategy
Together, we create a plan for your safe and confident return to work. I will support you in taking gradual steps to re-engage with your employer and colleagues. The goal is for you to return to work feeling confident, valued, and trusting in your work environment once again.
If returning to your current workplace is not possible, I can also support you with career exploration and finding new job opportunities that suit your strengths and needs.
Fee and registration
Finds the consultation fee on this page. Partial reimbursement through supplementary insurance is often possible. Different rates apply for consultations and programs reimbursed by the employer or for business purposes. Feel free to inquire about the conditions.
Using the button below, you can book an intake consultation or a free phone consultation directly.