| Topic Name: |
Workplace bullying |
| Message Name: |
Hello? |
| Date Posted: |
09/25/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
Actually, I posted a similar message on one of the HR message boards, but the last time I looked at it, it brought no responses. I'll check again.
Anyway, why am I posting on this board directed at women? First, I simply was trying to reach an audience that may have an interest in this topic. Second, and perhaps I should've explained myself better originally, many women with whom I've talked about abusive work environments tell me that bullying and non-sexual harassment are more pervasive and difficult to deal with than sexual harassment. They say they can handle the come-ons and bad jokes, but bullying behavior that undermines their competence and confidence is another ball of wax. And not infrequently, this type of behavior is targeted at women by men who cannot deal with competent females.
This is not to say that women don't treat other women like crap, etc., etc. That happens too. Bullying occurs in all combinations. And in all places. Small, medium, big companies, public sector, you name it. Though for various reasons, health care, law, academe, and social services are among the hotter spots for this kind of behavior. In addition, start-ups that suddenly become big and don't know how to handle growth from a personnel standpoint also are at risk for incivility that can rise to bullying and harassment.
As for solutions, they're multifaceted. Let's put aside for now legal intervention, as there is very little law addressing "equal opportunity" harassment (which should make our bent-out-of-shape friend very happy). From an HR standpoint, HR has to realize that when ordinary disagreements and bad days elevate into repeated, ongoing bullying/abuse, it needs to step in, perhaps aggressively. Workers themselves have to be more assertive about standing up for themselves and one another, because standing up to an asshole is one way of putting him/her to rest.
I won't speculate on why one poster is so hostile and angry that a civilized discussion about a real problem becomes an investigation into my motives. All I can say is (1) why not instead join in the discussion at civilized level; and (2) that I became interested in work abuse because I have seen and experienced it, and I have spent a considerable amount of time since then writing and researching about the topic and informally counseling many people (without compensation) who have contacted me. If you've ever seen someone completely destroyed by the worst type of this treatment, you'll know why I think this is a problem worthy of attention.
Again, for those who are interested in learning more, check out non-profit Campaign Against Workplace Bullying at w3.bullybusters.org. CAWB was formed by two psychologists, Drs. Gary and Ruth Namie, who saw a need to address bullying and work abuse beyond counseling individuals.
David Yamada
Suffolk University Law School
dyamada@acad.suffolk.edu |
| Message: |
Mr. Yamada, did you bother to read my post...SUBJECT: "You're Right"
My question again rises...whats your point of preaching to the "victims" rather than the culprits? For example if I was to go to my H.R. department and "complain" about how my manager is treating me...how will this NOT further diminish my reslationship with him/her? After all that person is, more likely, able to assign me the more challenging and or more rewarding work for me to do in order to help my career. If I complain about him/her to H.R. How will it help me advance in the company? Most companies I worked for have H.R. that are supposed to deal with these things but more often than not several things happen as a result. Number one...most won't go to H.R. to complain because they don't want to hinder their advancement in the company. Number two...most H.R. departments are nothing more than executive and management drones, who will sooner jump off a bridge than confront those individuals with this kind of issue.
I have seen many consulting companies come to various corporations preaching "How to treat your staff" (even had to go to a couple) and I can assure you...they really try to make you avoid "workplace bullying" and promote "positive" behaviors. (i.e. visably and measurably reward behaviors you wish your staff to portray) Forgive my metaphor, but kind of like when they train dogs...you put a trained dog with a pack of untrained dogs...while all in the same room you reward the trained dog for "tricks" or "behaviors" you wish to see. Soon after, the untrained dogs will try to mimic that "behavior" in order to also receive that "reward". Please try to look past that staff being represented by dogs here. Perhaps gaining an audience with management would suit your purpose better?
This topic being worthy of attention? Hmmmm...would you agree that there are hundreds of issues in this world that are worthy of attention? How do you rate their importance or priority?
I understand your focusing on this issue...it is perhaps a thesis for you on something. Maybe you wish to represent these individuals for wrongful termination. Perhaps you seek to join the political arena sometime soon (this would be a good "politically correct" publicity stunt)
I question your motives because I want to know what you are trying to gain...I hate people who prey on the unfortunate or "victims" and hide it under some vail of decency. Mant few individuals, especially in this country, do anything without trying to gain something...and being that this is a lot of work...I was just curious as to why you would dedicate so much time/effort to this if you gain nothing? Kind of like giving to the United Way...an organization dedicated to helping the less fortunate, yet the executives who run it are worth 10x what we are and are driving around in Mercedes', own $500,000 homes, etc... And all under the vail of charity. Some non-profit organization huh. To me that's a topic worthy of attention.
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