Workplace Bullying
Dec. 3rd, 2011 11:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatKeep writing posts and deleting them...have come to the conclusion that it is probably best not to write too descriptively about what has been going on at work. Suffice it to say, workplace bullying is in some regards worse than schoolyard bullying...because more is on the line and there is less that you can do about it. It has and is actually closer to domestic violence - because you are to a degree trapped in an abusive relationship:
Being bullied at work most closely resembles the experience of being a battered spouse. The abuser inflicts pain when and where she or he chooses, keeping the target (victim) off balance knowing that violence can happen on a whim, but dangling the hope that safety is possible during a period of peace of unknown duration. The target is kept close to the abuser by the nature of the relationship between them -- husband to wife or boss to subordinate or co-worker to co-worker.
http://www.workplacebullying.org/individuals/problem/definition/
While many countries have passed legislation against bullying in the workplace, including Turkey and Spain, along with the UK, Australia, Sweden and Canada - the US has yet to pass any laws and New York is still struggling to do so.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2005358,00.html#ixzz1fUB6nRkb
And Wikipedia has a long and exhaustive article on the topic:
My story? In late 2001 - I discovered that I was the target of a workplace bully - the worst sort, a manipulative bully. And he had the support of the senior management. That company is no longer in existence, it was bought out by another larger company in 2011. And the bully eventually self-destructed. But by that time, I was long gone. Given no choice, I left the company in 2002 without a job in place and spent two years hunting a new one. Lost my savings. And plummeted into a depression. I was also suicidal. And diagnosed with PSTD - the cause a combination of 9/11 and the prolonged work-place bullying. My previous boss, the one before the "manipulative" bully, screamed at me. I'd go into his office and he would just scream at me for twenty minutes. After a while I got used to it, he was largely harmless. Because that was all he would do is scream. I learned to ignore it. The manipulative bully is worse - and I've experienced this version four times and in four different companies, industries, and jobs as well as to varying degrees. The worst was in 2001-2002 - which resulted in my resignation, loss of friendships, a long-term depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What saved me - was the support of family, two friends at the company (who were not in positions of power but had managed to find a way to alert me to the problem and provide support - when they both left, I did as well) and oddly, two internet discussion boards where I met various people who either had experienced similar things or were able to provide a level of sanity and respect. On these boards - bullies or "trolls" were dealt with a quick and succinct manner. One woman I met on the boards - sent me flowers from Japan the day I quit my job. With the note : "When life gives you lemons, make lemonaid" - a Buffy quote. Others sent me tapes, books, and found other ways of expressing encouragement. At the time, a friend told me that my interactions on those boards reminded her of a sort of group therapy.
I started writing media essays online to cope with a serial bully at work. If you read those early essays - circa 2002-2003, or the interaction on those boards, you most likely saw that. It's the reason certain characters on the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which I'd become obsessed with) bothered me, and others did not. I was literally watching the Buffy series through an incredibly thick veil of trauma.
I know I've discussed all this before, ad nasuem. Boring, right? But this past year, I've found myself the target of workplace bullying again. And I'm struggling to deal with the re-occurrence. I thought I'd finally gotten past all that. But you never really do. Not when it is systematic. The bully in question did apologize. But, I'm on alert. Bullying is the reason - I'm so tight with cash and have to have a cushion. It's why I'm reluctant to buy a place or spend too much. You always want that financial safety net - something to survive on just in case you have to leave. Unlike 2001, Bullying is less acceptable. There is more awareness. People are more willing to come forward and support you. Donald Trump's Apprentice is not longer doing well in the ratings. In 2010 - the NY Legislature began to look at anti-bullying legislation for a second time. The first time was back in 2006 - when it was laughed out of contention. But it is back and being regarded seriously.
According to Wikipedia:
The last sentence may explain why I got an apology. The current bully has used my disability against me on multiple occasions - protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He realized it - when I told him point blank.
Other countries around the world do have legislation in place that protect you against Bullies.
And I love Sweden's:
Canada?
Since this is getting long - go here for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_bullying#cite_note-namiehealth-27
From: http://www.nyhwa.org/ ( New York Healthy Workplace Advocates)
As you can see from the above - this is a MAJOR problem and indicative of various others. It's yet another symptom of a society that permits people to abuse power and position. Our TV shows, films, books, music, news, etc - show the trend.
What can be done? Pass a law to protect people against bullying. Right now, workers have few avenues for support. And you have to be careful. Dealing with a bully...
is always a difficult matter. And it effects everything in your life, everything (health, friendships, family, finances, interests).
Being bullied at work most closely resembles the experience of being a battered spouse. The abuser inflicts pain when and where she or he chooses, keeping the target (victim) off balance knowing that violence can happen on a whim, but dangling the hope that safety is possible during a period of peace of unknown duration. The target is kept close to the abuser by the nature of the relationship between them -- husband to wife or boss to subordinate or co-worker to co-worker.
http://www.workplacebullying.org/individuals/problem/definition/
While many countries have passed legislation against bullying in the workplace, including Turkey and Spain, along with the UK, Australia, Sweden and Canada - the US has yet to pass any laws and New York is still struggling to do so.
Workers' rights advocates have been campaigning for years to get states to enact laws against workplace bullying, and in May they scored their biggest victory. The New York state senate passed a bill that would let workers sue for physical, psychological or economic harm due to abusive treatment on the job. If New York's Healthy Workplace Bill becomes law, workers who can show that they were subjected to hostile conduct — including verbal abuse, threats or work sabotage — could be awarded lost wages, medical expenses, compensation for emotional distress and punitive damages.
Not surprisingly, many employers oppose the bill. They argue that it would lead to frivolous lawsuits and put them at risk for nothing more than running a tight ship and expecting a lot from their workers. But supporters of the law point out that it is crafted to cover only the most offensive and deliberate abuse. The bill requires that wrongful conduct be done with "malice," and in most cases that it has to be repeated. It also provides affirmative defenses for companies that investigate promptly and address the problem in good faith.
Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2005358,00.html#ixzz1fUB6nRkb
And Wikipedia has a long and exhaustive article on the topic:
According to Gary and Ruth Namie, as well as Tracy, et al.,[Namie, Gary and Ruth The WBI 2003 Report on Abusive Workplaces] workplace bullying can harm the health of the targets of bullying. Organizations are beginning to take note of workplace bullying because of the costs the organization in terms of the health of their employees.
According to scholars at The Project for Wellness and Work-Life at Arizona State University, "workplace bullying is linked to a host of physical, psychological, organizational, and social costs." Stress is the most predominant health effect associated with bullying in the workplace. Research indicates that workplace stress has significant negative effects that are correlated to poor mental health and poor physical health, resulting in an increase in the use of "sick days" or time off from work (Farrell & Geist-Martin, 2005).
The negative effects of bullying are so severe that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and even suicide are not uncommon. Tehrani found that 1 in 10 targets experience PTSD, and that 44% of her respondents experienced PTSD similar to that of battered women and victims of child abuse. Matthiesen and Einarsen found that up to 77% of targets experience PTSD.
In addition, co-workers who witness workplace bullying can also have negative effects, such as fear, stress, and emotional exhaustion. Those who witness repetitive workplace abuse often choose to leave the place of employment where the abuse took place. Workplace bullying can also hinder the organizational dynamics such as group cohesion, peer communication, and overall performance.
My story? In late 2001 - I discovered that I was the target of a workplace bully - the worst sort, a manipulative bully. And he had the support of the senior management. That company is no longer in existence, it was bought out by another larger company in 2011. And the bully eventually self-destructed. But by that time, I was long gone. Given no choice, I left the company in 2002 without a job in place and spent two years hunting a new one. Lost my savings. And plummeted into a depression. I was also suicidal. And diagnosed with PSTD - the cause a combination of 9/11 and the prolonged work-place bullying. My previous boss, the one before the "manipulative" bully, screamed at me. I'd go into his office and he would just scream at me for twenty minutes. After a while I got used to it, he was largely harmless. Because that was all he would do is scream. I learned to ignore it. The manipulative bully is worse - and I've experienced this version four times and in four different companies, industries, and jobs as well as to varying degrees. The worst was in 2001-2002 - which resulted in my resignation, loss of friendships, a long-term depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
What saved me - was the support of family, two friends at the company (who were not in positions of power but had managed to find a way to alert me to the problem and provide support - when they both left, I did as well) and oddly, two internet discussion boards where I met various people who either had experienced similar things or were able to provide a level of sanity and respect. On these boards - bullies or "trolls" were dealt with a quick and succinct manner. One woman I met on the boards - sent me flowers from Japan the day I quit my job. With the note : "When life gives you lemons, make lemonaid" - a Buffy quote. Others sent me tapes, books, and found other ways of expressing encouragement. At the time, a friend told me that my interactions on those boards reminded her of a sort of group therapy.
I started writing media essays online to cope with a serial bully at work. If you read those early essays - circa 2002-2003, or the interaction on those boards, you most likely saw that. It's the reason certain characters on the show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (which I'd become obsessed with) bothered me, and others did not. I was literally watching the Buffy series through an incredibly thick veil of trauma.
I know I've discussed all this before, ad nasuem. Boring, right? But this past year, I've found myself the target of workplace bullying again. And I'm struggling to deal with the re-occurrence. I thought I'd finally gotten past all that. But you never really do. Not when it is systematic. The bully in question did apologize. But, I'm on alert. Bullying is the reason - I'm so tight with cash and have to have a cushion. It's why I'm reluctant to buy a place or spend too much. You always want that financial safety net - something to survive on just in case you have to leave. Unlike 2001, Bullying is less acceptable. There is more awareness. People are more willing to come forward and support you. Donald Trump's Apprentice is not longer doing well in the ratings. In 2010 - the NY Legislature began to look at anti-bullying legislation for a second time. The first time was back in 2006 - when it was laughed out of contention. But it is back and being regarded seriously.
According to Wikipedia:
In the United States, comprehensive workplace bullying legislation has not been passed by the federal government or by any U.S. state, but since 2003 many state legislatures have considered bills. As of April 2009, 16 U.S. states have proposed legislation; these are:
* Nevada (2009)
* Illinois (2009)
* Utah (2009)
* New Jersey (2007)
* Washington (2007, 2005)
* New York (2006) (http://www.nyhwa.org/)
* Vermont (2007) (http://vtbullybusters.org/)
* Oregon (2007, 2005)
* Montana (2007)
* Connecticut (2007)
* Hawaii (2007, 2006, 2005, 2004)
* Oklahoma (2007, 2004)
* Kansas (2006)
* Missouri (2006)
* Massachusetts (2005) (http://www.mahealthyworkplace.com/)
* California (2003) (http://www.bullyfreeworkplace.org/)
These workplace bullying bills would typically have allowed employees to sue their employers for creating an "abusive work environment," and most have been supported by the notion that laws against workplace bullying are necessary to protect public health.
Although most U.S. states operate primarily under the doctrine of at-will employment (which, in theory, allows an employer to fire an employee for any reason or no reason at all), American workers have gained significant legal leverage through discrimination and harassment laws, workplace safety laws, union-protection laws. etc., such that it is illegal under federal and most states' laws to fire employees for many reasons. For example, these employment laws typically forbid retaliation for good faith complaints or the exercise of legal rights such as the right to organize a union. Discrimination and harassment laws enable employees to sue for creating a "hostile work environment," which can include bullying, but the bullying/hostility usually is tied in some way to a characteristic protected under the discrimination/harassment law, such as race, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, etc.
The last sentence may explain why I got an apology. The current bully has used my disability against me on multiple occasions - protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. He realized it - when I told him point blank.
B: Why are you shaking? No one else shakes. You are the only one. Why so defensive? Maybe you aren't cut out for this -
M: I have a neurological condition called an essential tremor that results in shaking which I take medication for.
B (surprised): So it's not defensiveness?
M: No. It's called an essential tremor, I was born with it and I take medication to control it.
Other countries around the world do have legislation in place that protect you against Bullies.
In the United Kingdom, although bullying is not specifically mentioned in workplace legislation, there are means to obtain legal redress for bullying. The Protection from Harassment Act 1997[46] is a recent addition to the more traditional approaches using employment-only legislation. Notable cases include Majrowski v Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Trust[47] wherein it was held that an employer is vicariously liable for one employee's harassment of another, and Green v DB Group Services (UK) Ltd,[48] where a bullied worker was awarded over £800,000 in damages. In the latter case, at paragraph 99, the judge Mr Justice Owen said,
"...I am satisfied that the behaviour amounted to a deliberate and concerted campaign of bullying within the ordinary meaning of that term."
Bullying behaviour breaches other UK laws. An implied term of every employment contract in the UK is that parties to the contract have a (legal) duty of trust and confidence to each other. Bullying, or an employer tolerating bullying, typically breaches that contractual term. Such a breach creates circumstances entitling an employee to terminate his or her contract of employment without notice, which can lead to a finding by an Employment Tribunal of unfair dismissal, colloquially called constructive dismissal. An employee bullied in response to asserting a statutory right can be compensated for the detriment under Part V of the Employment Rights Act 1996, and if dismissed, Part X of the same Act provides that the dismissal is automatically unfair. Where a person is bullied on grounds of sex, race or disability et al., it is outlawed under anti-discrimination laws.
And I love Sweden's:
Workplace bullying in Sweden is covered by the Ordinance of the Swedish National Board of Occupational Safety and Health containing Provisions on measures against Victimization at Work, which defines victimisation as "...recurrent reprehensible or distinctly negative actions which are directed against individual employees in an offensive manner and can result in those employees being placed outside the workplace community."[45]
The act places the onus on employers to plan and organise work so as to prevent victimisation and to make it clear to employees that victimisation is not acceptable. The employer is also responsible for the early detection of signs of victimisation, prompt counter measures to deal with victimisation and making support available to employees who have been targeted.
Canada?
Quebec The Canadian Province of Quebec passed legislation addressing workplace bullying on 1 June 2004. In its act representing labour standards, "psychological harassment" is prohibited. The Commission des normes du travail is the organization responsible for the application of this act.
Ontario Under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act 1979, all employers "take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker." This includes protecting them against the risk of workplace violence."[38] The Act requires establishment of Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees for larger employers.
Under the act, workplace violence is defined as "...the attempted or actual exercise of any intentional physical force that causes or may cause physical injury to a worker. It also includes any threats which give a worker reasonable grounds to believe he or she is at risk of physical injury". Currently, as the Act is written, the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act does not specifically cover the issue of psychological harassment.
On December 13, 2007, MPP Andrea Horwath introduced for first reading a new Bill, Bill-29, to make an amendment to the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act. This Bill-29 is proposing "to protect workers from harassment and violence in the workplace" and will include protection from psychological abuse and bullying behaviors in the workplace in Ontario.
The Ontario OHS Act has been amended to include Bill 168, which came into force June 15, 2010. The amendment includes the protection of employees from psychological harassment, workplace violence, including domestic violence in the workplace.
Saskatchewan The Canadian Province of Saskatchewan made workplace bullying illegal in 2007 by passing The Occupational Health and Safety (Harassment Prevention) Amendment Act, 2007. The act broadened the definition of harassment, as defined in The Occupational Health and Safety Act 1993, to include psychological harassment.
Since this is getting long - go here for more info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace_bullying#cite_note-namiehealth-27
From: http://www.nyhwa.org/ ( New York Healthy Workplace Advocates)
At present time, it is currently legal in the United States for an individual (usually a person in a supervisory role) to impair and/or destroy the physical and psychological well being of an employee, their social support network and career using an employer’s resources when a person is not a member of a protected status group. Current State and Federal laws only recognize an unlawful employment practice when a person is a member of a “protected status” group such as race, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex age or sexual orientation and the employer or any person acting directly or indirectly as an agent of the employer harasses an employee. Why isn’t workplace bullying covered under current State of Federal law? Because the bully and the target are both members of a protected class, therefore the existing harassment laws are negated and the bully is free to impair the health of another person without ramifications. NYHWA and via the Healthy Workplace Bill seeks to expand current harassment law to make it an unlawful employment practice to subject an employee to an abusive workplace environment regardless of protected status membership or better defined as a “status-blind” harassment protection .
As you can see from the above - this is a MAJOR problem and indicative of various others. It's yet another symptom of a society that permits people to abuse power and position. Our TV shows, films, books, music, news, etc - show the trend.
What can be done? Pass a law to protect people against bullying. Right now, workers have few avenues for support. And you have to be careful. Dealing with a bully...
is always a difficult matter. And it effects everything in your life, everything (health, friendships, family, finances, interests).
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-12-03 06:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-04 03:27 pm (UTC)You can't leave, because you literally cannot afford to. So you find ways to cope with it, tactics to handle the bullying. Kickthebully.com provides a few possibilities - but nothing concrete. It also states that it is not a good idea to report the bully to management - since management very likely is allowing it and is aware, nor to use sarcasm. Avoid sarcasm at all costs.
The only way out? To leave. But then what? The vast majority of the jobs I've had - had bullies. I think I've only had two maybe three bosses who weren't and they were all short term.
no subject
Date: 2011-12-04 04:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-12-04 03:23 pm (UTC)Work-place bullying is a serious problem that is only beginning to be addressed.