University Workers Complain Workplace Bullying Policies Fall Short

When Policies Don’t Work

I would give anything to have the U.S. replicate the broad national investigation of abuse in our work cultures that Australia is currently undergoing.  [sign our petition] At least we can watch from halfway around the world and learn from information being presented.  Because, one of the issues being discussed is that policies in the workplace need certain components if they are going to be effective.   Unfortunately, here in America the most popular template for legislation, the Healthy Workplace Bill, doesn’t even require employers to put policies in place much less dictate that the point person for employees to complain to should be separate from HR.  Hopefully that will change and the bill will be amended by some smart legislator before it passes. Continue reading

Workplace Bullying: Is there a solution?

So, here we are again.  It’s 2012 and we’re coming to the end of yet another legislative session.   Massachusetts still holds great promise in being the first state to pass the Healthy Workplace Bill even as a rapidly approaching deadline, July 31st, ticks closer.  I spoke with the office of Ellen Story, the HWB’s sponsor, and they told me that they really want to pass some form of legislation on this issue.  Originally they tried to pass a study bill but it died.  So when the HWB became available they grabbed it.  Yes, it’s written in a way that greatly favors the employer more so than the person seeking damages but at least the victim/target can get unemployment.  That’s what they told me.  But, the real question is can the HWB or any other legislation fix workplace bullying?  Here’s an article written by an Australian researcher who’s dedicated over 10 years trying to figure out what can.  Her findings are sobering.  Whatever state legislators accomplish it is time for the Obama Administration and the Department of Labor to bring clarity to this issue on a national level: Continue reading

Take Action To Stop Workplace Bullying

It’s a cyber wall of corporate shame.  Thousands of victims of abusive workplaces have left their tragic tales on a national petition demanding a solution for this silent epidemic.

Find your representative and send them a copy of the Care2 petition bearing over 7600 signatures.  Ask them to join the fight to stop workplace bullying.  If you’ve experienced this abuse first hand or have expertise in this area you can add your own information as well.  Continue reading

Does HR Respond To Workplace Bullying Complaints?

A recent survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) polled HR personnel about workplace bullying and how they respond to complaints. It’s clear that HR is aware of the problem. In fact, the vast majority of those polled believe it is the responsibility of HR to deal with it (only 1% feel there should be a special workplace bullying/workplace violence committee) and please keep in mind that about 27% of those taking part have been the targets of bullying themselves.   Here are the results of the SHRM survey —  note: respondents were allowed to choose more than one optionContinue reading

Daring to Fault the Bully Label: Making WHAT KILLED KEVIN

[This article was published in May 2012. See our recent posts below]

Two weeks ago,  the Washington Post published an article, “Documentary faults ‘bully’ label in U-Va. suicide,” about my film, WHAT KILLED KEVIN.   Shortly after the reporter amended the actual article to include allegations from Waldo Jaquith, who is featured in the documentary, that I had “cherry picked” my interview with him to fit my “agenda.”   [Note: Jaquith has never seen the film and you can see his video clip and my agenda below]  In an unusual move the editors of the Washington Post have since removed all of his allegations and restored the article to its original form with a notice at the top apologizing for their editorial “lapse.”   Why the controversy?  My film dares to take a neutral stance in exploring the incident that put the term “workplace bullying” on the map by allowing the alleged bully to tell their side of the story.  Within weeks of Kevin Morrissey’s suicide, Waldo was featured in a report by the Today Show that linked Kevin’s death to actions by his “bully boss,” Ted Genoways.  As the WaPo states: “eventually the case was embraced as a textbook example of a manager’s verbal and psychological abuse of an employee.  That reading is far too simple, argues Beverly PetersonThe film ultimately portrays Genoways as a victim — of overhyped reporting, and of exploitation by advocates of workplace-bullying legislation, who have used the case as a national exemplar.  

Continue reading

DEAR MR. PRESIDENT: “HELP US! We’re being bullied out of our jobs…”

(Personal comments from an online petition created by a coalition fighting workplace bullying that asks the Obama Administration to enact uniform national legislation or regulation in response to the devastating impact of workplace bullying.   Each signature generates an email sent directly to President Obama and Secretary of State, Hilda Solis.)

Tragically this is only a small sampling of the stories woven among thousands and thousands of signatures.  (Some comments are excerpted)

#6936 ah yes. i remember that boss i had who screamed at me that i couldn’t quit (quite intimidating about it; i was afraid she was going to hit me), and who threw the telephone across the room and kicked animals. fun stuff. good times. y’know

Continue reading