Author Archives: bullyinworkplace

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About bullyinworkplace

I am currently working on two documentaries. One involves both a traditional documentary about the devastating impact of Workplace Bullying and a transmedia project that turns it into an interactive web-documentary . The other more traditional project is about Maria Martin's groundbreaking work to train indigenous Mayan journalists in Guatemala who risk their lives to link their remote communities to the global dialogue. My documentaries have been broadcast internationally, and screened at major festivals including; HBO, PBS The Sundance Channel,The Sundance Film Festival, Human Rights Watch, Museum of Modern Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art,The Walker Art Center, The Warhol Museum, The Kitchen. 71 West Broadway: Ground Zero, New York, NY was selected as part of the memorial presentation at the Library of Congress, which has included it in the national 9/11 film archive. Portions of Invisible Revolution, were featured on ABC’s 20/20, Dateline, and HBO specials on domestic terrorism.

Using Workplace Violence Policies To Stop Workplace Bullying

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Public Employees: Connecticut

edith pragueSeveral years ago Connecticut State Senator Edith Prague wanted to pass workplace bullying legislation for public employees. The opposition argued that it was already covered under workplace violence policies and a study was requested to determine if it was indeed included. I was filming Prague’s support of the Healthy Workplace Bill at the time and remember well that she was passionate about the topic and surprised to learn that the handbook policies put in place after a tragic workplace 1998 shooting nearly 10 years earlier actually did address bullying behavior. The 2008 report concluded that: Continue reading →

Justice Ginsburg Stands Up For Abused Employees

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English: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Associate Justic...

It’s hard for targets of workplace bullying to prove their hostile work environment is a clear case of discrimination — bullying by definition falls outside of the protections of Title VII — but some plaintiffs still managed to win by proving they were fired or demoted in retaliation for filing a claim. Today’s Supreme Court decision just made that harder and a second “get out of jail free” card was awarded to businesses when SCOTUS narrowed the definition of whether that jerk harassing you is “technically” your supervisor. In what the Huffington Post called a “rare move,” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told the court: “Both decisions dilute the strength of Title VII in ways Congress could not have intended,” said Ginsburg, who then called on Congress to change the law to overturn the court.” In Vance v Ball Ginsburg wrote: Continue reading →

Using Union Contracts To Protect Teachers From Bullying

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The NEA (National Education Association) published this article showing how union contracts can protect employees from bullying. Most interesting is the section on Massachusetts and the fact that Workplace Violence laws currently in place arguably offer protection from bullying: Continue reading →

Are Unattractive Co-Workers More Likely to Be Bullied?

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According to recently released survey —  being unattractive and disagreeable makes someone more vulnerable to bullying at work. Can you spell h-i-g-h s-c-h-o-o-l? Better yet, can you spell m-o-b-b-i-n-g? Here’s the article from Michigan State’s website: Continue reading →

Codes of Conduct Can Protect Employees From Bullying

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“…Managers must foster an environment of integrity, honesty and respect. This includes creating a work environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation or bullying of any kind. This type of behavior will not be tolerated and is inconsistent with our values and the Code of Conduct…” BNY MBNA Code of Conduct

Corporate Codes of Conduct

courtroomWhile the U.S. may not have a law in place yet to protect workers from the devastating impact of workplace bullying — or even an agreed upon definition — there are major corporations that recognize the vital role of mutual respect and professionalism. The recent decision of Mark A. Kuzma (Plaintiff) v. MBNA Institutional PA Services, LLC (Defendant) brings home just how powerful these corporate “Codes Of Conduct” can be. According to court papers, Kuzma was terminated by MBNA for repeated breeches of professional conduct as outlined in this 2007 memo Kuzma received putting him on notice:

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Governor Vetoes Workers Comp Study to Address Workplace Bullying

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Gov. Paul LePage

Gov. Paul LePage (Photo credit: MaineDOE)

Maine’s Governor just sent a harsh message to the State’s labor force by vetoing a bill to study how Workers Compensation can be used to help alleviate the suffering of employees deeply impacted by workplace bullying. The Bangor Daily News quotes Governor LePage: “I cannot understand what additional policy recommendations could come forward from this study.” Ummmm, that’s the purpose of a study. Fingers croxx’d his veto will be overturned but historically that’s a slim chance. Both New Jersey & Wisconsin have shown that Workers Comp have the potential to become useful tools in the fight to prevent and offer help to dealing with the ramifications of  psychological harassment. Continue reading →