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You suspect that your boss has been gaslighting you.
He’s been making little comments that seem off, but you’re not sure if you’re just being paranoid.
You don’t want to make a big deal of it if it’s just in your head, but you can’t help but feel like he’s been messing with your mind.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people have faced gaslighting in the workplace, and it can be a challenging thing to deal with. But remember that you have power in this situation. You can choose how to react, and you don’t have to let someone else control how you feel.
What is gaslighting?
You might not have heard of the term gaslighting before, but there’s a good chance you’ve experienced it. Gaslighting is a form of manipulation used to control and confuse victims. The goal of gaslighting is to make you doubt your reality.
Are you being gaslit at work?
So you think you’re being gaslit at work? Believe it or not, it’s more common than you might think. But how can you be sure?
Here are a few signs that you’re being gaslit:
- You’re constantly second-guessing yourself.
- Your boss or colleague is constantly undermining your work.
- They’re always turning things around on you so that it seems like you’re at fault.
The impact of gaslighting in the workplace
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Here’s what it feels like:
You’re not sure what’s going on. One minute, you think you’re doing a great job and the next, you’re being told that you’re screwing up. Everything you do is questioned and no matter what you say, it’s never good enough.
You start to feel like you’re going crazy.
You’re not sure who to trust or where to turn to. You isolate yourself from your coworkers because you’re embarrassed about what’s happening at work. And you start to doubt yourself more and more with every passing day.
This is gaslighting in the workplace.
It’s a form of manipulation where a person lies or uses false promises to make you question your sanity. And it can happen due to a superior or colleague. If this is happening to you, know that there are steps you can take to deal with gaslighting in the workplace and reclaim your sanity and dignity.
How to protect yourself from gaslighting in the workplace
When you think about it, it’s pretty scary.
Workplace bullies are deliberately trying to make you doubt your mind, and they’re succeeding. So what can you do to protect yourself?
Here are a few tips:
- Seek support. Talk to your friends and family about what’s going on. They can offer emotional support and an outsider perspective.
- Don’t hesitate to speak up. If something doesn’t seem right, say something. The more you stay silent, the more power the gaslighter has over you.
- Document everything. Keep a journal of the events that occur, as well as any conversations that take place. This will help to back up your story with your HR manager if things get ugly.
When someone gaslights you at work, it can feel like they’re driving you insane. But you’re not alone. There are things you can do to deal with gaslighting in the workplace. First, understand what gaslighting is and how it works. Then, establish some boundaries. And finally, learn how to recognize the red flags of being gaslit. Fighting against gaslighting in the workplace can be hard, but it’s not impossible. With some courage and determination, you can get through it and come out stronger on the other side.
