By Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that entails causing an individual to question their own reality, perception, or sanity.
It can be a pernicious and harmful experience in the workplace, affecting not only the victim's mental health but also their job performance and overall well-being. Workplace gaslighting requires resiliency, self-awareness, and a strategic response.
Here are insights and strategies on how to effectively cope with gaslighting in the workplace.
- Recognize the signs
The first step to fixing gaslighting is recognizing its signs. Gaslighters use many methods to lower your self-esteem and distort reality. They may deny facts or behaviors, minimize your emotions, transfer responsibility, and project their flaws onto you. Knowing these tactics can help you spot gaslighting.
- Trust your gut
You can spot gaslighting using your intuition. Trust your intuition if anything feels odd or you suspect manipulation. Gaslighters often target empathic and accommodating people, so trust your own judgment even when others criticize it.
- Maintain documentation
Keeping track of instances of gaslighting can provide you with tangible evidence if you ever need to address the issue formally. Keep a journal of gaslighting incidents, including dates, times, locations, and any witnesses. This documentation can be extremely useful in HR meetings, supervisor discussions, and legal proceedings.
- Seek support
Dealing with workplace gaslighting can be emotionally taxing. Seek assistance from friends, family, or a therapist who can provide you with a secure space to express your emotions and gain perspective on the situation. Speaking with a trusted individual can help validate your experiences and strengthen your resilience.
- Set boundaries
Clearly define your relationship with the gaslighter. Communicate your requirements for courteous and professional behavior. If they persist in engaging in gaslighting behavior, assertively but calmly restate your boundaries. Send the message that such behavior is abhorrent by consistently enforcing these restrictions.
- Stay calm and collected
Gaslighters frequently feed off of emotional responses. By maintaining composure, you can deny them the gratification they seek from provocation. Maintain decorum during interactions with the gaslighter, and if necessary, leave the situation to regain emotional equilibrium.
- Seek mediation
Consider involving a neutral third party, such as a supervisor or HR representative, to mediate the situation if the gaslighting persists. Explain your concerns, provide supporting documentation, and ask for assistance in resolving the problem. Mediation can assist in shedding light on the issue and leading to a solution.
- Consider legal options
In extreme cases where gaslighting creates a hostile work environment or results in negative outcomes, you should seek the advice of legal professionals to determine your options. There are laws and regulations in place to protect employees from harassment and discrimination, and legal action may be required to address persistent gaslighting.
In conclusion, dealing with gaslighting in the workplace is difficult, but you can effectively navigate this toxic behavior with awareness, self-care, and strategic approaches. Remember that you are not alone and that there are available resources to assist you.
You can build resilience and regain control of your work environment by recognizing the signs, maintaining documentation, seeking support, and engaging in self-confidence and self-care. In the end, addressing gaslighting contributes to a healthier workplace for everyone.
