Bullying in the Workplace

We work hard in our jobs and expect to be treated with courtesy for our participation in company teamwork. It is fair to assume that because we spend time in a professional venue that relationships will be fair and that policies support us. But read this:

In 2006, Schat, Frone & Kelloway did a survey and found that 41.4% of respondents to their survey reported experiencing psychological aggression at work. That represents 47 million US workers.

And in August 2010 two studies were conducted by the Workplace Bullying Institute to collect data of all American adults about bullying in the workplace. Maybe you were part of this study, if not, the statistics are higher.

 Here is what the study revealed:

• ·         35% of workers have experienced bullying firsthand
• ·         62% of bullies are men
• ·         58% of targets are women
• ·         women bullies target women in 80% of cases
• ·         bullying at work is four times more prevalent than illegal harassment
• ·         same-gender harassment accounts for more than 2/3 (68%) of bullying

In addition 15% stated they witnessed someone being bullied.

Although bullying in the workplace does not fit the standard HUD Discrimination policy, and is not illegal because of the lack of law, bullying is prolific in the workplace and causes an individual great physical distress and the company loss of productivity and  revenue. Bullying is any repeated pattern expressed through words or actions, intended to intimate, offend, degrade, or humiliate a particular person or group.

It is appalling that adults treat each other with such disrespect while we expect that bullying cease in school and other community settings.  Let's show our children by our example that bullying has no place in American society.

Respect for ourselves guides our morals; respect for others guides our manners.” – Laurence Sterne

Until next time,

Jan