Bullies in the Workplace

The last time, he pointed out that you were the only one at the meeting two hours early. Others did not realize that you were not sent the e-mail stating that your group didn’t have to arrive until after lunch.   One in every six people in the workforce has experienced workplace bullying.   An unclear definition, victim isolation, status of the bully it is too often goes over looked or unreported. What is workplace bullying?     Here are two definitions:   The tendency to use aggressive or unreasonable behavior towards a person or group of persons within an organization.   Repeated mistreatment of an employee by a person or group of people with malicious intent, humiliation, intimidation and sabotage of performance.   Workplace bullying surfaces in many forms.   Some of the more common tactics are insults, criticism of ability, yelling, stealing credit, inconsistent appliance with rules, sabotaging work or discounting accomplishments and exclusion.   Cyber bullying is associated with the computer age and will be addressed in next week's column. Many effects of bullying are stress related and may lead to high blood pressure, migraines, anxiety, depression or even Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD).   During the past two decades, countries around the globe i.e., England , Canada and Sweden , are addressing workplace bullying through legislation.   It is often under   health and safety provisions and regulations.   Employers are made responsible for detection, dealing with the bully and support for the victim.    Protection may also be covered within anti-discrimination laws, workplace violence or psychological harassment. Anti-discrimination laws can address bullying on the grounds of sex, race, or disability.   There has never been a law passed in the United States that directly addresses workplace bullying.   Some do, however, have laws against allowing a “hostile work environment” and harassment.   Two laws that have been used in defense are the Anti-Civil Right Act of 1964 and The Americans with Disabilities Act.   Besides the obvious health related effects, one of the biggest problems or roadblocks caused by bullying is the difficulties of proof which are on the victim. The nature of this conflict has roadblocks of the boss bully, isolation by co-workers and lack of specific laws, guidelines; it is often close to impossible to prove.   Readers may e-mail questions or responses about this topic to info@wingspanseminars.com

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