The Costs of the Workplace Bully

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  1

  pappyq4

  10/28/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  I just left a company where I was the Sales Manager. There was nothing anyone can do to satisfy the owner so, coming into the office took every bit of patience I could muster. It was unhealthy to be in to say the least. I would pray daily for the opportunity for the job, but I would also ask for patience and guidance. As I knew that my patience could no longer withstand the grueling torture of humilation and frustration, I asked to be fired. It has been nearly a week since I have been gone from my job. I have had many calls for positions with companys that I had represented and had befriended. I now sleep better. I smile and laugh more. I can now breathe much better now that I am gone for this mans company. I do fear and pray for those I left behind.

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  PMP'sicle

  10/28/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  Regarding your comment ...
  "While ignoring the bullying might have been decent advice for the schoolyard" ...
  
  in fact, it is no longer considered "decent advice".
  
  The latest studies indicate that bullying needs to be dealt with head on by the administration otherwise it escalates. Ignoring bullies in school or the workplace is not wise.

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  CC Holland

  10/28/08 | Report as spam

  Congratulations on breaking free

  @ pappyq4: What a horrible story. Kudos for you for taking charge of your life and leaving an untenable situation, and I wish you luck with a new (and better!) position.

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  CC Holland

  10/28/08 | Report as spam

  Good point, I stand corrected

  @ PMP'sicle: Thanks for the catch. You're right, my turn of phrase is now outdated due to greater awareness of the dangers of bullying in schools. I stand corrected!

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  mcamarata

  10/29/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  While all that has been said is right on target, one very important point/issue seems to be missed here. "Where is senior management in all this?"
  
  Bullying that is systemic in a part of an organization is either ignored in favor of results or indirectly encouraged to get results frequently.
  Let's be sure to not merely point at the supervisor as we do in this clip. Note that the "boss" comes by and offers congratulations without seeking the source of the actual performance.
  The bully thrives on pointing fingers when things go "bad" but are in the front to take recognition when things go "right".
  
  Senior management that is oblivious to the "means" often perpretrates the very bullying they later claim to abhore.

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  CC Holland

  10/29/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  @ mcamarata: You're right, bullying problems often start at the top. Surveys show that most often bosses are the bullies -- and that means senior management is either enabling the bullying, or doing the bullying themselves. Hopefully a new focus on bullying, coupled with a tough economy that will make it more crucial to keep key workers, will encourage businesses to be less tolerant of bullying behaviors in the workplace.

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  R. B.

  10/29/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  I have personally experienced bullying in the workplace and it is a nightmare. In one instance, the individual was a peer and he felt women should not be in management positions. He did everything possible to make my life miserable, to make my job more difficult, to erect barriers, to turn people against me and to cause me to fail. The other situation was with my boss and it was much harder to live with. Nothing I could do or say was right. He took everything I said as a challenge to his authority, even though I was trying to do my job and be generally helpful. He belittled me and treated me like I was worthless dirt. I began to suffer from some health problems as a result. I've had some pretty negative experiences, but this one was one of the top three worst and I'm still trying to recover. Unfortunately, bullies are alive and well and terrorizing others in the work environment. Management often doesn't address the problem because, frankly, someone in management is often responsible for the bullying. Other times, their bullying is ignored because they are perceived as getting results. Until their behavior hurts the bottom line, they are often allowed their reign of terror. It will probably take changes in law to effect a change in the work environment. But even then, it's going to be a long and difficult battle.

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  Enrico Pallazzo

  10/29/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  I don't have anything to add here. Just some props to CC for the pic. It's from the video game "Bully." Decent game. Carry on...

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  chunga21

  10/29/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  Watch your High Potential younger employees. If this behavior is not put in check early, it will become an endorsed behavior. Given the fact these people only have potential, and are not yet proven, this behavior correction needs to be swift and direct to prevent further damage.

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  CC Holland

  10/30/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  @ R.B.: My sympathies to you for the terrible situation you endured. Sadly, women are bullied more often in the workplace than men, according to the statistics. And one troubling adjunct to that fact: women are more likely to bully other women. I think one thing that offers hope is the legislation on the table in 13 states to make bullying illegal, as with other forms of harassment. Until bullying is made illegal, though, it's up to employees and managers to recognize it, call it to light, and hopefully work to put a stop to it.

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  CC Holland

  10/30/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  @ chunga21: Excellent point. It's certainly easier to catch and avert negative behavior patterns early, before they become entrenched habits.

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  ludmed

  11/03/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Costs of the Workplace Bully

  In Australia we have a robust banking system that has averted much of the global financial meltdown through strong regulatory processes. Fortunately, we also have mature 'bullying and harassment' legislation that can hold individuals and companies liable for such actions if proven. The biggest problem here however is the cultural one of being labeled 'a dobber' or a 'whistleblower'. This is why people here still don't take action.