Workplace Bullying...

So i am incurring a serious issue of workplace bullying. I am also a witness to others being bullied in the workplace. So a few quick Google searches to see what other people are experiencing and this is what i find....

Source...

Bullying is a systematic campaign of interpersonal destruction that jeopardizes your health, your career, the job you once loved. Bullying is a non-physical, non-homicidal form of violence and, because it is violence and abusive, emotional harm frequently results. You may not be the first person to have noticed that you were bullied. Check to see how many of these indicators match yours.

It also says that 35% of the American workforce experiences bullying! That statistic is mind numbing! This is a huge problem and a very serious conspiracy. Not only are the jobs harder and harder to find, not only are they lower, and lower paying, they are also strenuous and harmful to our overall health and well being!

Source...

From CBS news....

If you run a typical American company — whether you have 10,000 employees or 25 — then you probably have a bully in your business. According to a 2007 survey conducted by Zogby International, almost half of U.S. workers report that they have experienced or witnessed some kind of bullying on the job - insults, threats, screaming, or ostracism.

So this is more mainstream. So people are starting to realize a problem. What does this say about the current model of American culture? This is a cultural problem, our problems as Americans are not finance related, they are not consumer related, they are culturally related.

Wiki...

In 2008, Dr. Judy Fisher-Blando[7] wrote a doctoral research dissertation on Aggressive Behavior: Workplace Bullying and Its Effect on Job Satisfaction and Productivity.[8] The scientific study determined that almost 75% of employees surveyed had been affected by workplace bullying, whether as a target or a witness. Further research showed the types of bullying behaviour, and organizational support.

So according to Wiki this is affecting 75% of Americans. I think we need to address this issue as a nation.

This is currently happening to me severely for no apparent reason. Is this happening to anyone else? What are you doing about it? What should i do about it? Is this affecting the job market and unemployment rates? Is this why young people want to work less and less?

Well, I read the "indicators" page.

I'd have to say, whoever wrote this has way too much time on their hands and is probably looking for boost in their own career. The "warning signs" and indicators are ludicrous.

Just about anyone can "feel like they're bullied" at times. Including the people who are accused of bullying.

This is a load of crap IMO.

All this leads to, is an outlet for people that are terrible at their job, to jump to and say "I was bullied, unfair!"

"No, sorry, you really suck at your job, and you get on people's nerves because you don't recognize it."

reply to post by onequestion


If someone ever tried to bully me at work I'd let them know right there on the spot to buzz off.

reply to post by boncho


I agree. Seems like a way for the bad employee to have an excuse when they either get in trouble of fired. Not doubting that workplace bullying goes. I have seen it before, but you are right the indicators seemed a little off to me.

reply to post by onequestion


I have advice. Im a pretty big guy and ive taken various forms of self defense over a couple decades. Im not intimidated by people who try this with me.

So

I had the same stuff happen. I stood up to it. They tried to throw more on me. I got aggressive back, only doing EXACTLY what they did to me (an experiment of sorts). They acted like a victim and set me up to lose my college career over a few months, also draining all savings I had. Just know that they play dirty so dont be afraid to bend the rules, because they will be(and have been) doing it to you.

Now having said that? It was worth it and I would do it again. I let these maggots know exactly what they were. I find what gets on their nerves and I exploit it. I know it angers them because it gets a major reaction. I say exploit the weaknesses. They have tried to threaten and bully me since, so I have and will continue to train for that expectation. They can always be beat. The assumption on their part that they are superior is what brings them down. The worst part is, is that everyone now KNOWS exactly what pos' they are now, so the public will do worse to them than I ever could lol.

Heres to the whistleblowers

EDIT: in addition to your points above, YES its is responsible for the large unemployment numbers in large part. And the companies encourage it as it increases turnover = more profit less benefit payout

Just stand up to it and they will leave you alone. 9/10 people working in retail/corporate America are pussies anyway. They just monkey see monkey do, thats why it seems like everyone contributes to the negative culture

Originally posted by boncho
Well, I read the "indicators" page.

I'd have to say, whoever wrote this has way too much time on their hands and is probably looking for boost in their own career. The "warning signs" and indicators are ludicrous.

Just about anyone can "feel like they're bullied" at times. Including the people who are accused of bullying.

This is a load of crap IMO.

All this leads to, is an outlet for people that are terrible at their job, to jump to and say "I was bullied, unfair!"

"No, sorry, you really suck at your job, and you get on people's nerves because you don't recognize it."

edit on 26-4-2012 by boncho because: (no reason given)

If you read my posts from my profile, its not BS at all. Its alive and well and in practice. You (as you stated in your own post) have no real experience with this and have just read the small 1st section of the OPs post and have formed a conclusive opinion that its not happening. LOL.

I detail in some of my posts the way they systematically set you up. OP-it might be good reading for you. Basically you have 2 choices stand up, get fired OR be their bitch. Its not about pride. Its about them taking away your free will. They have infinite resources/money. The money is not as important to them as demeaning you is.

OP Are you conscious blind? They are pushing all of the organics out of the workplace, that could be your problem.

EDIT: the guy I quoted feels that (from his post) people that are different shouldnt be allowed to work. If their voice annoys you, or subjectively saying a person doesnt do their job well (which if he were smart he would understand any monkey can do any job) they shouldnt be allowed to work-for money/resources, how we continue life. Elitist mentality. He will be the one not working and facing the hard times soon, dont worry lol.

Originally posted by XxCanexX
reply to post by boncho

 

I agree. Seems like a way for the bad employee to have an excuse when they either get in trouble of fired. Not doubting that workplace bullying goes. I have seen it before, but you are right the indicators seemed a little off to me.

I have had 9 jobs over the last 16 years, including a 7 year stint at one of them. I have never been fired from a job until this year. Its all about the bias the conscious have against the non cons. Dont try to cover it up. Its clear its organized and there is a class of people thats pushing other people out of work through manipulation, negativity, dirty tricks. They will get whats coming they always do.

Do you think collapsing a society then slipping out will keep people from seeing what the cons are doing LOL? It all recorded. Always. Good luck.

reply to post by strangedays

You (as you stated in your own post) have no real experience with this and have just read the small 1st section of the OPs post and have formed a conclusive opinion that its not happening. LOL.

No. You are jumping to conclusions. There is nothing in my post that could indicate whether or not I "have real experience" with the topic.

But that is besides the point, because I was criticizing the source, and it's vague and almost hilarious points for determining if someone is being "bullied" or not:

Early Signs of Bullying

You know you've been bullied at work when....

Experiences Outside Work
You feel like throwing up the night before the start of your work week
Your frustrated family demands that you to stop obsessing about work at home
Your doctor asks what could be causing your skyrocketing blood pressure and recent health problems, and tells you to change jobs
You feel too ashamed of being controlled by another person at work to tell your spouse or partner
All your paid time off is used for "mental health breaks" from the misery
Days off are spent exhausted and lifeless, your desire to do anything is gone
Your favorite activities and fun with family are no longer appealing or enjoyable
You begin to believe that you provoked the workplace cruelty

It feels as bad as it looks.

Experiences At Work
You attempt the obviously impossible task of doing a new job without training or time to learn new skills, but that work is never good enough for the boss
Surprise meetings are called by your boss with no results other than further humiliation
Everything your tormenter does to you is arbitrary and capricious, working a personal agenda that undermines the employer's legitimate business interests
.......

etc, etc

Source

I went back and read your post though, and it sounds like you have a lot of hostility and communication problems:

It was worth it and I would do it again. I let these maggots know exactly what they were. I find what gets on their nerves and I exploit it. I know it angers them because it gets a major reaction. I say exploit the weaknesses. They have tried to threaten and bully me since, so I have and will continue to train for that expectation.

You make yourself out to being bullied, yet you claim the other parties are doing the same thing. And you admit to the same actions as them.

I got aggressive back, only doing EXACTLY what they did to me

In other words, you're a bully...

You bullied (harassed?) a bunch of people cause you think they bullied (Harassed?) you, and they probably did it to you for the same reason. If one thing can be said about your situation, is that there is definitely some communication lacking in it all.

reply to post by strangedays

Its all about the bias the conscious have against the non cons. Dont try to cover it up. Its clear its organized and there is a class of people thats pushing other people out of work through manipulation, negativity, dirty tricks. They will get whats coming they always do.

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

You are taking what I wrote out of context intentionally. I said the bahavior was done to me, and I repeated it back to them. Im not a bully, but frankly I dont care if you call me a bully. Thats fine. Not something that bothers me. If I am a bully it because I bully people that bully other harmless people.

LOL superioritard

Originally posted by boncho
reply to post by strangedays

Its all about the bias the conscious have against the non cons. Dont try to cover it up. Its clear its organized and there is a class of people thats pushing other people out of work through manipulation, negativity, dirty tricks. They will get whats coming they always do.

 

Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Have fun wherever you are going. Im sorry for you

Originally posted by strangedays
You are taking what I wrote out of context intentionally. I said the bahavior was done to me, and I repeated it back to them. Im not a bully, but frankly I dont care if you call me a bully. Thats fine. Not something that bothers me. If I am a bully it because I bully people that bully other harmless people.

LOL superioritard

You call yourself harmless but then you say you did all the things that "bullies" did to you. I don't get it, sorry. It just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm not calling you a "bully", you basically called yourself that. And there very label I find condescending to a grown person's intelligence. Surely it can be used, but sparingly.

I've never seen a humble, genuine person get "bullied". The rest is mis-communication.

But look back at your example, you are claiming the other people are bullies. And I am sure if we asked them, they would call you a bully because you did the same actions against them, and you stated they acted as victims.

So you both act like victims, and you both "bully" each other. How about the lot of you grow up and stop acting like kids?



Sounds like you are in a highstrung place that needs to be destrung...

...And people wonder why I superglue their phones to their desk as a joke...

I'm convinced that baby boomers, the same generation that puts down younger generations, are also responsible for the plight of the young generations.

The tactics and excuses they use to keep others down are mind-boggling. Not to mention, nepotism still rears its' ugly head at times.

If you're in a workplace where somebody is being bullied, your employer is not performing their 'due diligence' with respect to occupational health and safety.

Here in Ontario, Canada, the government passed Bill C 168 a few years ago to address workplace violence issues . . . of which bullying is considered part. It is considered an occupational hazard.

Further, and in Ontario, it is the responsibility of all employees to report workplace hazards immediately to their direct supervisor who will follow an established procedure to eliminate the hazard. This can run the employment discipline spectrum from a simple warning outlining the consequences of repeated infractions to severance of the employment relationship.

It is law, here, to have a full procedure in place to deal with instances of workplace violence including lockdown procedures and evactuation, where necessary. We must have 'safe rooms' with outside accessible telephones to notify police, and an internal team to deal with those who become violent in the physical sense of the word.

There must be no easy public access to the workplace and nobody is allowed into the workplace unescorted or without permission.

In our procedure we deal with violent employees through discharge and immediate application of the Trespass to Property Act. If the perpetrator does not leave the workplace immediately, we have them arrested for trespass and removed by the authorities.

As a Labour Relations Manager, it is my responsibility to make sure such behavior does not occur in the workplace failing which if I cannot prove my due diligence, I am criminally and civilly liable for such failure.

We have a tough, zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior and we've discharged several employees for failing to abide by that requirement.

As an employer, if you take the necessary steps, any problems can be eliminated and recurrence prevented.

In the past year, I've had a few incidents where issues simmer at which time I bring the parties to the problem into my office and simply state . . .

If we have this discussion again, it will be short and to the point and will delve no further into this matter than my determining where you'd like your last cheque sent

You'd be surprised at how quickly that puts a damper to any lit fuse.

Now, in Ontario, if a worker ceases employment due to such a 'poisoned work environment', the employer is then liable for damages for failing to address it. If an employee quits due to such bullying, they can launch legal action against the employer for lost wages, lost opportunity and emotional distress. In so doing, and if they are successful, an arbitrator or judge can also levy punitive damages against the employer.

There have been cases in Canada whereby this premise was applied and affected employees were awarded in the neighborhood of $500,000.

So . . . if one was to take anything way from this story and thread, suffice it to say that if your employer is doing their job, your job will not become unbearable and problems such as these in the workplace will be eliminated. Failure by an employer to do so will result in a nasty expense and a rather hefty payday for the aggrieved employee.

Originally posted by boncho

I'm not calling you a "bully", you basically called yourself that. And there very label I find condescending to a grown person's intelligence. Surely it can be used, but sparingly.

:

Originally posted by boncho
reply to post by strangedays

In other words, you're a bully...

LOL.


Also want to make note of the negativity this poster brought to the thread.

OP-make note of this, the behavior tends to clue you in on who has what agenda.

edit on 26-4-2012 by strangedays because: (no reason given)

I actually just went through this myself. It was only one person, and lots of people observed it happening, but were unable and unwilling to do anything about it.

I considered carrying a tape recorder, I live in fear still, constantly looking over my shoulder in fear of retribution, but nothing thankfully came of it. Not yet.

I have been employed at the same place for 10 years. We were opening a new area and were bringing in a lot of new employees that had to be trained. I was given the duty of training several new people for placement. One of the new people came in one night (I work graveyard shift), and from the first moment, I bent over backwards to do my utmost best to share everything I knew to help this person move smoothly into their position.

This person came in with the claim of 20 years past experience, however, during the gathering of information along the way during the first shift, it became clearer as the night progressed this was a false claim. The person was totally inept and proved clearly to have not even basic skills needed for the job.

By 5am (the shift ends at 7am), we had to simply open MS Word and fill in a blank database with a schedule for the morning. Most of this was simply cut and paste from the previous shift, but changing the names and cell phone numbers. This person lacked even the basic skills to copy and paste.

Throughout the night, several comments were made in a sort of "back handed" manner that I blew off as poor attempts at humor, or perhaps the person struggling to cover up the fact that they were indeed coming in as a blank slate. I actually convinced myself I was overreacting and tired. The person made several verbal "attacks" on me in front of others, things that took me by surprise and gave me pause to think, "Did they really just SAY that?!" Again, I blew it off as my misunderstanding it, or being oversensitive, but the looks of the onlookers gave me pause to think maybe it wasn't just me. I went home, mentally exhausted from trying to train this person.

The second night, they come back. Immediately, the verbal attacks begin, followed by batting eyelashes, sweet smiles, innocent looks. I was puzzled by the seeming conflict of this persons personalities from one moment to the next. Throughout the night, one moment they were my best friend and wanted to "come back and train with no one but you, because you are an excellent trainer!" to biting off my head and taking a crap down my neck.

The second night left me even more confused and puzzled, and even more and different onlookers had taken notice. This time, however, some of them stopped after the trainee left and actually commented. Thank GOD, I thought to myself, it was not just me.

The next week, they were suddenly in a different position, no longer not wanting to train with me, but not even wanting the job position anymore. When I approached the person and innocently asked what was up, the attacks in full frontal position began. I was called nosey, intrusive, lots of names. I was told it was none of my business, and that I needed to shut up and go away. The person directly challenged me, in front of people, literally daring me to do something about it.

The final straw came when they stood in front of me and stared me down. For over about 4 minutes, as I did my job. Challenging me, daring me to a confrontation. They challenged me on basic rules of the workplace, basic rules of the new position they were in (over which I am by no means any autrhority), and openly insulting me. This all took place in front of a witness.

This led to a closed door meeting with the shift supervisor who point blank told me that since they were training for the new area, they were helpless to do anything about this person. I was told I had to take it. They made this person come to the meeting where they bald face lied, even though there were plenty of witnesses to everything that happened. They denied, batted the eyelashes, played innocent, and the supervisor bought it all, hook, line, and sinker. *I* was told they were disappointed in ME.

That was when I decided it might be time to hire an attorney, and that would be one way to make certain someone took responsibility for this persons' actions.

They went on to the new unit, and I was reassured that I didn't have to work with them anymre, so things would be fine. This did little to allay my fears of having damage done to my vehicle, or perhaps having a chance meeting in the elevator or hall. This person made it clear they had no problem in confrontations, and I was fearful of them.

They got fired in less than three weeks.

I *still* worry about them carrying out some form of retribution. I still get odd hang-up calls most nights I work. No, nothing direct has happened, but I still refuse to let my guard down.

This is what is wrong with workplace bullying.

Originally posted by The Sword
I'm convinced that baby boomers, the same generation that puts down younger generations, are also responsible for the plight of the young generations.

The tactics and excuses they use to keep others down are mind-boggling. Not to mention, nepotism still rears its' ugly head at times.

Word. See what this boncho guy is trying to do. I try to break it down so people can see exactly what he is doing. He only exposes himself more, so I continue lol. It will help other people out if they somehow run across all these posts.

EDIT: also notice the veiled threats of how I need to be destrung. This is why I train in self defense daily. Ive really hurt a few cons in my time. Im not even some toughguy or anything, but reasonably, if there is a threat you should train yourself to defend against it. I just go about not trying to get in anyones way and be polite, and let them start it. I have never been able to not drop one if I stay humble like that. So by all means, come destring me

in the united states, you have the right to a harassment free work environment.

to defend yourself in a work setting try:

1. document everything. keep a journal, print out emails, save emails on thumb drive.
2. escalate to management at every instance of bullying right when it happens
3. escalate to human resources if manager is unable to stop the bullying
4. follow up manager meetings with email summarizing the discussion


-subfab

Originally posted by GoalPoster
If you're in a workplace where somebody is being bullied, your employer is not performing their 'due diligence' with respect to occupational health and safety.

Here in Ontario, Canada, the government passed Bill C 168 a few years ago to address workplace violence issues . . . of which bullying is considered part. It is considered an occupational hazard.

Further, and in Ontario, it is the responsibility of all employees to report workplace hazards immediately to their direct supervisor who will follow an established procedure to eliminate the hazard. This can run the employment discipline spectrum from a simple warning outlining the consequences of repeated infractions to severance of the employment relationship.

It is law, here, to have a full procedure in place to deal with instances of workplace violence including lockdown procedures and evactuation, where necessary. We must have 'safe rooms' with outside accessible telephones to notify police, and an internal team to deal with those who become violent in the physical sense of the word.

There must be no easy public access to the workplace and nobody is allowed into the workplace unescorted or without permission.

In our procedure we deal with violent employees through discharge and immediate application of the Trespass to Property Act. If the perpetrator does not leave the workplace immediately, we have them arrested for trespass and removed by the authorities.

As a Labour Relations Manager, it is my responsibility to make sure such behavior does not occur in the workplace failing which if I cannot prove my due diligence, I am criminally and civilly liable for such failure.

We have a tough, zero tolerance policy for this type of behavior and we've discharged several employees for failing to abide by that requirement.

As an employer, if you take the necessary steps, any problems can be eliminated and recurrence prevented.

In the past year, I've had a few incidents where issues simmer at which time I bring the parties to the problem into my office and simply state . . .

If we have this discussion again, it will be short and to the point and will delve no further into this matter than my determining where you'd like your last cheque sent

You'd be surprised at how quickly that puts a damper to any lit fuse.

Now, in Ontario, if a worker ceases employment due to such a 'poisoned work environment', the employer is then liable for damages for failing to address it. If an employee quits due to such bullying, they can launch legal action against the employer for lost wages, lost opportunity and emotional distress. In so doing, and if they are successful, an arbitrator or judge can also levy punitive damages against the employer.

There have been cases in Canada whereby this premise was applied and affected employees were awarded in the neighborhood of $500,000.

So . . . if one was to take anything way from this story and thread, suffice it to say that if your employer is doing their job, your job will not become unbearable and problems such as these in the workplace will be eliminated. Failure by an employer to do so will result in a nasty expense and a rather hefty payday for the aggrieved employee.

Its completely against the law. Not to mention the other laws they break and just get away with. Someone is watching them, and they are so bold as to wear the negativity with pride, thinking there will be nothing that can bring them down.

LOL

reply to post by strangedays

also notice the veiled threats of how I need to be destrung. This is why I train in self defense daily. Ive really hurt a few cons in my time. Im not even some toughguy or anything, but reasonably, if there is a threat you should train yourself to defend against it. I just go about not trying to get in anyones way and be polite, and let them start it. I have never been able to not drop one if I stay humble like that. So by all means, come destring me

If you hadn't noticed, I never made any physical threats of violence towards you. (Yet, you just did to me?) But your reaction in this thread reaffirms my position that perhaps your experiences of being "bullied" is not solely the fault of others.

Destrung would be synonymous with, relaxing, taking a deep breath. I did not mean it any other way.

And this all goes back to my original stance on the issue, I think people are lacking in communication or unaware of their own actions, which leads to scenarios where they feel like they are being bullied or singled out.

I've had many a people upset at me in my life, but I never felt like I was bullied, and I always resolved it with communication. It just doesn't make sense to me how it can escalate to something unmanageable.