Emotional Abuse in the Workplace
When does being reprimanded by a supervisor cross the line into emotional abuse?
That's tough to say as those feelings are completely subjective. If you feel it is abusive then it is very real to you, regardless if that is how the supervisor intended.
Some basic ground rules are
If the attacks become personal in nature and are aimed at you as an individual instead of you as an employee, then that is a case of verbal abuse.
If they continue to reprimand you for an issue that has already been addressed and rectified, then it may be considered bullying/abusive.
If they address your performance in front of others with the intent to demean or belittle you, or make you feel less than, then that could be considered abusive/bullying behavior.
A reprimand should never be an attack. You are an adult and should be treated as such. A reprimand should address an issue and suggest a course of action to prevent the issue from occurring again, and there should be reasonable follow-up to ensure you are on target. Reasonable being the optimal word.
I think it probably depends on what they are saying to you. If you feel they are abusing you, talk to someone in HR, or as high up as you can go.
Supervisor's always cross the line because they feel they can. If you feel you are being emotionally drained due to the abuse then it is time for you to quit. If you take it to compliance it usually gets looked at and you are abused more by the Supervisor because he or she now knows you turned him/her in. My suggestion is even when taken to the attention of Human Resources for bullying they usually the plan to get rid of you somehow proceeds. Funny you say this been there done that. The Director will also take the Supervisor word even they know very little about the individual. Plan a meeting with the Director it takes more then a month to meet with him/her by this time the Supervisor has already meet with them 3 to four times. Which now the Supervisor had the lead and you have no other option but to leave the position you were in. In the long run Karma bites them in the butt. Human Resources and Compliance need more training in matters and situations like these and the buddy/buddy system has to be stopped. Unfortunately until then most employees who work hard to get to where they are get bullied around when the Supervisor's knows their employee has more knowledge then what they have. They feel threaten and know their only option is to get rid of their opponent. Funny thing is the promotion goes to the individual with little experience due to the fact that they can run all over them without a word being said.