Bullies are inventive so the following list of of what a bully looks for in their targets is basic -
Remember:
Bullies need not target their "victims" because they are weak.
#You may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Bullies are predatory and opportunistic.
#Being good at your job.
#Being popular with people.
#The bully fears exposure of their inadequacy and incompetence, your presence, popularity and competence unknowingly and unwittingly fuel that fear.
#Being the expert and the person to whom people come to for advice, getting more attention than the bully.
#Having a well-defined set of values which you will not compromise.
#Having a sense of integrity.
#Having at least one vulnerability that can be exploited.
#Being too old or expensive.
#Showing independence of thought or deed.
#Jealousy and envy are strong motivators of bullying.
# Unwarranted or invalid criticism while ignoring achievement
# Undermine in front of others, raise false concerns, or express doubts over a persons performance or standard of work, however unsubstantiated this may be
# Overrule, ignore and isolate a person from what’s happening.
# Regularly choose the target by offensive remarks and language or give the silent treatment.
#Single out and unfairly treat a person differently to other members of staff.
# Degrade, threaten, or humiliate.
# Subject someone to unwarranted or unjustified verbal or written warnings. This falls under The Employment Act 2002 (Dispute Resolution)
# Set goals and deadlines which are unachievable or which are changed without notice or reason.
# Deny information necessary for undertaking work whilst others often receive more than they need.
# Refuse support if they are a manager.
# Overload a person with work or have all their work taken away and replaced with inappropriate jobs.
# Increase someone’s responsibility but remove his/her authority.
# Have work plagiarised, – the bully then presenting the target’s work as their own.
# Find requests for leave unacceptable and place unnecessary conditions, sometimes overturning previous approval.
# Send unpleasant or threatening calls or harass with intimidating memos, notes or emails
# Invite you to informal meetings which turn out to be disciplinary hearings
# Encourage you to feel guilty and to believe you are always the one at fault
