Documentation as a Defense Tool

When gaslighting is a recurring problem and is affecting your performance and well-being at work, simple, assertive communication is not enough.

In these cases, documentation becomes your best defense tool.

Manipulators often thrive on conflict and twist situations in their favor, so it is crucial to have solid evidence to back up your side of the story.

The importance of written evidence

To defend yourself against manipulation, it is vital to document every incident.

This involves transferring important conversations to emails and recording the details of each interaction in private notes.

The more concrete evidence you can gather, the stronger your case with HR will be.

For example, if you have a difficult conversation with a colleague, you can send an email summarizing the main points and agreements reached, which creates a written record of the interaction.

Escalating the issue with evidence

The HR department needs evidence to act on your behalf, since they were not present in the situation.

If you present a well-documented case, with dates, specific details and emails, they are more likely to take your complaint with the urgency it deserves.

Documentation is not about ratting someone out, it's about being fair to yourself and the organization, especially if the situation is affecting your performance.

If Human Resources does not resolve the problem, and the manipulative behavior persists, documentation will serve as a basis to consider looking for another job, as happiness at work will be compromised by a chronic problem.

Documentation empowers and protects you in situations where words alone are not enough.

Summary