Comments on: Bullies at Work http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/ The source on how we live, work and play Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:10:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: A Aponte http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 A Aponte Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:08:29 +0000 http://zstation/creativeclass/v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/#comment-1810 I agree that workplace bullying needs to be addressed. I recently left my job due to severe workplace bullying. When I approached upper management, I was laughed at and told not to take it seriously. They did not address the issue with the persons who were committing the abuse. The difficult part for me is that I am a single Mom who is solely responsible for providing for my child. In the current climate, it made me very nervous to leave my job. Due to the continued bullying, I was forced to choose between my health and my job. It surprises me that employers do not support anti-bullying legislation. In my humble opinion, it would improve their turn over and in the end save them money. After reading the statistics, I am saddened by how prevalent workplace bullying is. I am also surprised by how much employers are getting away with in Florida. I tried to find an attorney to address the many issues I had with my employer, and it was impossible. I agree that workplace bullying needs to be addressed. I recently left my job due to severe workplace bullying. When I approached upper management, I was laughed at and told not to take it seriously. They did not address the issue with the persons who were committing the abuse.

The difficult part for me is that I am a single Mom who is solely responsible for providing for my child. In the current climate, it made me very nervous to leave my job. Due to the continued bullying, I was forced to choose between my health and my job.

It surprises me that employers do not support anti-bullying legislation. In my humble opinion, it would improve their turn over and in the end save them money. After reading the statistics, I am saddened by how prevalent workplace bullying is.

I am also surprised by how much employers are getting away with in Florida. I tried to find an attorney to address the many issues I had with my employer, and it was impossible.

]]> By: Michelle Smith http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1809 Michelle Smith Fri, 31 Aug 2007 23:14:09 +0000 http://zstation/creativeclass/v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/#comment-1809 The hidden epidemic of workplace bullying, defined as repeated, health-harming mistreatment, can involve verbal abuse, threatening, humiliating, offensive behavior or actions, or work interference. Regardless of tactics used, workplace bullying, also known as "legal" or "status-blind" harassment, affects employees who are not protected by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The loophole in the law needs to be plugged. Employers have no law to protect them from bullies either. The current proposed legislation would require employers to put policies and procedures in place, similar to the sexual harrassment laws we now have (remember the days before those laws?). Once in place, employers would be protected and we would all have some legal recourse. This is NOT about business as usual. This is about REPEATED HEALTH HARMING treatment in the workplace. No one should have to suffer every day when going to work. That would be like being married to an abuser. Oh sure, you can get another spouse or employer, but it's not a simple fix. We need legal protection from workplace bullying. Michelle Smith, Co-founder California Healthy Workplace Advocates www.bullyfreeworkplace.org The hidden epidemic of workplace bullying, defined as repeated, health-harming mistreatment, can involve verbal abuse, threatening, humiliating, offensive behavior or actions, or work interference. Regardless of tactics used, workplace bullying, also known as “legal” or “status-blind” harassment, affects employees who are not protected by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The loophole in the law needs to be plugged.

Employers have no law to protect them from bullies either. The current proposed legislation would require employers to put policies and procedures in place, similar to the sexual harrassment laws we now have (remember the days before those laws?). Once in place, employers would be protected and we would all have some legal recourse.

This is NOT about business as usual. This is about REPEATED HEALTH HARMING treatment in the workplace. No one should have to suffer every day when going to work. That would be like being married to an abuser. Oh sure, you can get another spouse or employer, but it’s not a simple fix. We need legal protection from workplace bullying.

Michelle Smith, Co-founder California Healthy Workplace Advocates
http://www.bullyfreeworkplace.org

]]> By: Wendy http://www.creativeclass.com/_v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/comment-page-1/#comment-1808 Wendy Fri, 31 Aug 2007 18:59:14 +0000 http://zstation/creativeclass/v3/creative_class/2007/08/31/bullies-at-work/#comment-1808 I think there is plenty of proof that people can be creative in an environment where there is occasional abuse (not constant). The worst place I've every worked for this type of bullying behaviour was academia (it's one of the reasons I left that career). And yet people in that environment still churn out quality, creative work -- as I think that I did. When you also have a network of supporters -- in addition to the bullies trying to undermine your career -- creative, talented people can focus on the positive. Nevertheless, I would agree that workplace bullying needs to be addressed in many environments-- and the talent shortage in many industries will probably do the most to force companies to confront bullies who drive employees away. I think there is plenty of proof that people can be creative in an environment where there is occasional abuse (not constant).

The worst place I’ve every worked for this type of bullying behaviour was academia (it’s one of the reasons I left that career). And yet people in that environment still churn out quality, creative work — as I think that I did. When you also have a network of supporters — in addition to the bullies trying to undermine your career — creative, talented people can focus on the positive.

Nevertheless, I would agree that workplace bullying needs to be addressed in many environments– and the talent shortage in many industries will probably do the most to force companies to confront bullies who drive employees away.

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