10 Stages of Covert Workplace Abuse
Have you experienced these? Am I missing any?
I'm working on a series of posts to explain the stages of covert workplace abuse that I suffered as have many others I speak with. They include:
1) Love-bombing — things feel so great at first don't they?
2) Gaining access — this is where your abuser worms their way into your good graces to get access to your knowledge, your contacts etc.
3) Covert smear campaign — this is happening behind your back, very nasty.
4) Taking credit for your work — also can be covert, the abuser is taking your knowledge and presenting as their own.
5) Boom is lowered — you have no idea what has hit you.
6) Mobbing / betrayal — your entire workplace is now against you.
7) Fight or Flight or Freeze — how you react to what is happening.
8) Witch hunt / gaslighting — if you fight back, they start really coming for you.
9) Aftermath / recovery — this can take years.
10) Trauma growth — when you use your experience to help others.
Have I missed any that you experienced? Let me know in the comments or reply.