A recent article in the Hartford Courant, April 22, 2008 examines workplace bullying as abuse and compares the way people treat workplace violence vs. bullying. Workplace violence is a serious problem. I have a colleague whose brother was punched at work. He did nothing because he didn’t want to lose his job, but he had recourse. That’s a physical assault, and most workplaces have policies about it and there are state laws about assault and battery. But what if an employer throws an object towards you and it misses (on purpose?) but scares you and intimidates you, and is part of a repeated behavior of yelling, belittling, humiliating, etc. that is making you sick? There are no laws that prevent that.
Check out the article. Bullying affects men and women; it is done by men and women. And HRs want to put people together in a room and have them talk it over. I would not allow a violent spousal abuser to be placed in a room with his target. Why would HR allow a workplace bully to do that? In my case, the bully was actually the state alternative dispute resolution head. That makes me feel so secure!
We need a law, fair and balanced. It shouldn’t be a law where disgruntled employees can put a company out of business. It should be a law where abused employees can sue the bully, but only if they can prove the bully did it with malice and harmed their health. You have to have this high bar so bullies don’t sue targets. There has to be medical proof involved.
For those of us who want a law it’s not about the money. We want to be able to do our jobs well and enjoy our work. Americans work very hard as a nation. Collectively we work harder than almost anyone else, but workplace bullying is on the rise. Maybe this is because people are stressed over the economy, but I think it is just that management practices often don’t vet the people they are putting in charge of others. A productive person in the office may not be a good manager and may not be a person able to motivate by inspiration rather than fear.
bejewell said
Personally, I think Americans are completely overworked. Long hours and increased pressure for results has left workers with enormously high stress levels, which can point them in one of two directions – taking their frustrations out on the people they work with, or becoming victims of workplace abuse afraid to speak out. Our shaky-at-best economy certainly doesn’t help the situation.
I totally agree some kind of law should be in place – and employers with shoddy management practices can do a lot to curb the problem. But more importantly, I think corporate America should do more to resolve the root of the issue – and give its hardworking employees a break.
chunque said
This is the rationale of office bullies:
http://www.stuffwhitedbagslike.wordpress.com
jeremy said
I second what Bejewell said. We need a break, and not one of those “economic depression” kind of breaks.
Catherine said
Unfortunately a law against workplace bullies, called the Healthly Workplace Act, has been reviewed by government in 13 states. None of them passed it.
HR policies these days offer two versions of harassment: Harassment because of race, religion, sexual orientation and other protected classes; and sexual harassment. Harassment by way of leaving someone out of an office memo, gossiping behind their back, or yelling at them, is not covered in either. That makes it hard for HR’s to really grasp workplace bullying and figure out how to deal with it. HR’s often like black and white, that’s why they have policies – to make things black and white.
Anyway, I’d say if you’re feeling bullied there are a few things you can do. He or she is likely intimidating to you, and your body language likely reflects that. Work on making sure you’re standing up straight and looking him or her directly in the eye. Make sure you speak up for yourself when necessary, although I know this can be scary. If the bully starts getting snippy, get snippy back. Exhibiting these sorts of behaviors will provide a bit of shield, as the bully is only going to target people he thinks he can gain power over.
louise said
I believe we all need to network in order to protect ourselves. I have email lists and you do as well- I have a blog, you have a blog. Perhaps, together we can exchange information and help each other.
couldabeen said
I appreciate all the comments. The Healthy Workplace Bill will probably pass in CT and maybe NY and VT next year. It has strong supporters there. Like civil rights legislation or domestic violence legislation, it can take a while to get these things passed. Let’s not give up! HR departments are not much help, in my experience.
We are all getting tired of going to work in uncivil places, even if bullying is not going on. Workplaces are getting more stressful.
Louise, I am happy to link to your blog. I recommend we connect to as many bullying blogs as we can, but I admit I am so overworked I am not sure I have time. There is http://groups.google.com/group/connecticut-bullybusters. And of course WBI at http://www.workplacebullying.org. It gave me the idea. They have a better list than I do.