By Matt Rayson

Copyright thescottishsun

APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions.

Here, Karren gives her expert advice to a reader who has been told off for standing up to the office bully.

Q: One of my colleagues is known for poking fun at people’s insecurities and trying to get a rise out of us all.

We’ve generally taken it in good spirits, and if anyone says anything, he insists it’s just “office bantz”.

But recently, he really upset someone on my team, so I stood up to him, which unfortunately turned into a proper argument.

I’m not proud of my behaviour, but in that moment, raising my voice was the only way I felt I could get my point across.

Now HR are involved, and he’s playing the victim.

I’ve been given a warning and mandatory conflict training, but my colleague hasn’t been given any punishment.

I’m furious! Do you have any advice?

A: Now HR are involved, it’s important to protect yourself and show professionalism.

Complete the conflict training and demonstrate you’ve learned from it by staying calm and measured at work.

If your colleague makes further remarks, avoid reacting – keep any response you give brief and neutral, plus write down what was said, who was present and dates/times.

If other colleagues are affected, encourage them to raise concerns, too, as HR are far more likely to act when they see a clear pattern.

It’s also worth requesting a meeting with your HR business partner.

Be honest, acknowledge that raising your voice wasn’t the right response, but explain the wider context of your colleague’s behaviour and the impact it’s having.

Framing it this way shows accountability, while making clear the issue goes beyond a single incident.

By taking responsibility, showing growth and calmly flagging the ongoing problem, you strengthen your credibility and make it harder for the real issue of this person’s behaviour to be ignored.

Got a careers question for Karren? Email bossingit@fabulousmag.co.uk.