Summarize the following:
Start by saying you’ve noticed their negative behavior and ask them if something is wrong. Remain friendly as you speak to them. Avoid accusing them of anything. Instead, ask open ended questions to encourage them to be honest.  You might say, “I’ve noticed that you have been on edge recently. Is everything okay?” You might also bring up a particular situation. For example, you might say, "I know that you and Denise argued. Would you like to tell me what happened?" If you have a team suffering from negativity issues, meet with each member individually. The employee may not realize that they are causing a problem. Be gentle as you bring this subject up. Avoid accusing the employee of bad behavior. Do emphasize, however, that their actions have an effect on the office.  Use “I” statements to soften the blow. You might say, “When I see someone unhappy at work, I worry both for them and for their coworkers. This behavior does impact productivity, and it can make work stressful for everyone.” If the employee has stated that they have a medical, mental health, or personal issue, it may be insensitive to discuss the consequences of their behavior on other people. Instead of discussing of how their negativity affects others, focus on your employee's needs to help them feel more supported. If there is an outside event affecting your employee’s mood, provide whatever support you can. This will reduce your employee’s stress, which may have a positive impact on their mood and behavior.  For example, if an employee is caring for their elderly mother, you might offer them a slightly longer lunch break so that they can go home and check on her. If the employee is suffering from a medical issue, ask them what they need to be comfortable in the office. Perhaps they could get a footstool to elevate their leg or maybe they need a special chair. Be flexible wherever you can. For example, if your employee has a sick child, let them work from home for a few days or give them a half day. Instead of telling them what they need to do, ask your employee what they think could do. To help with this, give them specific feedback about their work and productivity. Together, set reasonable goals that could help the employee work with a more positive perspective. You might ask, “What can we do to make this a more positive work experience for you?” You might find them a mentor, assign them to a new team, or let them take on new opportunities. Your employee may need constant encouragement to meet their goals. Check in once a week with them. Ask them how they are doing and make adjustments to their goals if needed. For example, you might say, “How are you doing with your goals? What do you think you might accomplish? What are you worried about completing?” If an employee’s negativity is creating a hostile work environment, it may be time to let them go. Consider this option carefully before going forward. Make sure that you have tried all other options to improve the situation before letting the employee go.  If you fire an employee, try not to use harsh language. You can say, “We just don’t think you’re a good fit for the culture here.” A hostile employee is one who bullies their coworkers, starts fights with people in the office, threatens the company with lawsuits unnecessarily, or attacks your authority as their manager.

summary: Set up a private meeting with the employee to discuss their behavior. Explain the consequences of their behavior. Accommodate your employee if they have specific needs. Work together to create long-term solutions. Follow up with your employee frequently after the meeting. Fire problematic employees.


Summarize the following:
One study found that a stationary activity, like knitting or crocheting, can help you stop obsessing about food. Focus on a simple hobby you enjoy doing, like gardening, sewing, or even painting. Using a hobby as a distraction can lead to improvement in your skills or abilities and a shift in focus. Don’t keep your hunger pangs to yourself. Instead, call up a friend and go for a walk together or go see a movie. Focus on spending time with friends or family, instead of on your hunger. Schedule a routine meet up with a friend during a diet so you have a guaranteed distraction for a certain day and time. This may help to motivate you to get through the day without succumbing to hunger and give you something to focus on instead of your grumbling stomach. Take a walk around your area or go for run or jog to help you unwind and re focus. According to researchers at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, exercise strengthens your brain’s powers of executive function, including your ability to think ahead and control your inhibitions. This will then make it easier to stop thinking about your hunger pangs. Try taking up a yoga class. Yoga can help you deal with temptations and be a more mindful eater. Focus your thoughts on the events of the day or a list of ongoing goals you keep in your journal. You may also want to record your eating habits and the times of day when you feel hungry, as well as how you feel emotionally during these times. Writing down your eating habits will help you distinguish when you’re feeling physically hungry and when you’re feeling emotionally hungry.  Physical hunger usually has symptoms like a growling stomach or lightheadedness. Emotional hunger is when you want to eat but you do not feel physically hungry. Writing down your emotions towards food will help you identify your triggers and prevent them from happening. For example, you may find you get hungry in the afternoon, when you begin to get bored with your work and are looking for a snack. You may then want to change up your routine, like exercising or going for a walk in the afternoon, to prevent emotional eating. Be proactive with your time and complete one item on your to do list. Or look over any chores you can do at home and get them done. Rather than reach for food, reach for the broom, the duster, or the sponge and do your dishes or clean your bathroom.

summary: Focus on a hobby. Socialize with friends. Do light exercise. Write in your journal. Solve a problem or complete a chore.


Summarize the following:
Verbal bullying occurs when someone says something to you in order to hurt you or lower your self-esteem.  Don't be afraid to be assertive and stand up for yourself, but avoid being combative.  You can also let others know that you are being verbally bullied and ask for their help. Don't respond with anger or emotion. Bullies want to knock you down or start a fight.  Deny them this by staying calm and positive. Let the bully know that their attitude and behavior is unacceptable. Calmly listen to the bully and ask questions.  For example, “It sounds like you think I'm stupid.  Why do you feel that way?”  Bullies won't often have actual reasons and will generally stop once you open an honest dialogue with them. Physical bullying occurs when physical violence is used against another person in order to intimidate and control them.  This type of bullying is very dangerous and needs to be addressed immediately.  Don't be afraid to seek help if you are being physically bullied.  Tell someone immediately if you are being physically bullied. Bullies may threaten you with further violence or you may feel too embarrassed to talk about it.  Don't be afraid to speak up, someone will help you. Physical bullying tends to escalate.  The sooner it is addressed the safer you will be. Cyberbullying occurs virtually but its effects are just as real and serious as any other form of bullying.  This form of bullying will usually occur when a bully makes threats or remarks on-line that aim to demean, hurt, or scare another person.  Thankfully there are some established methods you can use to stop a cyberbully: Ignore any messages the bully sends to you.  Bullies want you to get mad and respond.  Ignoring them lets them know that you are not a target. Threats of violence made on-line are taken very seriously.  These can be reported to police or the FBI. Save all instances and evidence of cyberbullying.  For example, any emails from a bully that demonstrate their bullying should be downloaded or otherwise stored securely. Cut off communication.  If you are able, block their email address, phone number, or whatever method they are contacting you with. Tell someone if you are being bullied online or through some other form of technology.
summary: Handle a verbal bully. Deal with physical bullying. Deal with cyberbullying.