Tag Archives: hostile workplace environment

Unions join fight to stop bully bosses…

Posted on by
Reply

Have city workers in Norfolk, Virginia find a solution to clean up toxic workplaces.  Is this something you can replicate?  Maybe, with a little help from your union…

[ABC WVEC.com David Ham full article and video]  NORFOLK  — A new workplace bullying policy is being developed for nearly 4,000 city employees.

The new policy would include workplace bullying in its harassment policy.

City workers say bullying has been an increasing problem throughout all departments.

“In some cases, supervisors may just have it in for somebody and then they tend to try to find every little thing they can write them up for,” said Jane Bethel, president of NAGE Local 200.

Assistant city manager Melanie Purcell says she’s drafting the new policy to let all employees know what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable.

“Bullying is characterized by intimidation- both physical and mental intimidation actions that would make someone uncomfortable, and it’s persistent,” said Purcell.

While she’s drafting the new policy, Purcell has suspended all disciplinary actions until each case can be reviewed again.

The new policy is expected to be formally announced to all employees in June.

EEOC Takes Aim at Age Discrimination!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s important to know your rights…in many cases bullying IS already illegal

[Press Release from EEOC]

EEOC Explores Plight Of Older Workers In Current Economic Climate

Commission Hears Poignant Testimony of Employee Discharged After 31 Years, Panelists Discuss Scope of Age Discrimination

WASHINGTON— At a meeting held today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission heard testimony that age discrimination is causing the nation’s older workers to have a difficult time maintaining and finding new employment, a problem exacerbated by the downturn in the economy. The number and percentage of age discrimination charges filed with the EEOC have grown, rising from 16,548 charges — 21.8 percent of all charges — filed in fiscal year 2006, to 22,778 —24.4 percent — in fiscal year 2009.  Continue reading →

A plea to fellow fighters of Workplace Bullying

Posted on by
18

I became a co-founder of the fledgling cyber-group called the International Educational Coalition on Workplace Bullying. I’m excited that the Coalition allows me to join so many others in freely promoting critical discussion, context and analysis of all the research taking place and how it impacts the overall understanding and  prevention of hostile work environments.  Everyone visiting our Facebook Page is encouraged to add their own opinion and approach.  Do I personally agree with everyone who posts on the site? No, and I’m proud to say that even the three of us who originally founded the IECWB don’t agree on all aspects of the issue and encourage everyone visiting the site to have that same healthy discourse. Our International focus has allowed different perspectives, coupled with personal experiences, to come together on one page.  It’s been eye opening to see how even countries with Workplace Bullying legislation in place are still struggling to define the best resolutions.

We bring together psychologists, lawyers, researchers, business & Human Resource representatives, advocates and victims to create a forum for all our voices.  And, there are so many things to discuss, below is just a sampling:

Support of strong Workplace Violence legislation that includes Workplace Bullying (Type 3 Workplace Violence) and making the link to Type 4 which includes Domestic Violence in the workplace as well as specific issue Workplace Bullying bills

Strengthening OSHA health harming protections

Strengthening Workers Compensation and how it can help targets currently suffering

Exploring Arbitration, ADR & Mediation as a way for targets to find relief

Putting aside the demonization of HR and Business owners and creating a true dialogue with those that want to support us

Discussing the types of policies and approaches that are actually effective and encourage a healthy workplace that discourages bullying behavior.

Staying current with evolving research in PTSD, Stress, Anxiety Disorders

Please take a moment to visit the IECWB site to find information, share information, and join the global discussion.

Here’s a link to our Press Release if you are interested in learning more about the IECWB. http://prlog.org/10829919

Documentary features NY fight for Workplace Bullying Law

Posted on by
Reply

Several major publications have recently posted articles on the topic…hopefully this means victims will start getting the attention they deserve and a better law.   As someone whose life was turned upside down by an abusive boss all I can say is — it’s about TIME.  I’ve been making documentaries for 20 years that have been well received at major film festivals and on TV (HBO, PBS etc).  Last year I launched an online documentary about the struggle to pass legislation to stop abusive bosses.  This is probably the hardest of all the topics I’ve taken on.  The stigma attached to victims makes it difficult for people to take seriously.   And the mainstream press rarely goes beyond the “go to” sites to do some real in depth reporting…it’s much more complicated than the ‘branding’ that’s out there.

(Click here to see videos)

Can OSHA help stop Workplace Bullying?

Posted on by
3

I had a chance to attend Susan Harthill’s presentation at the recent Int’l Conference on Workplace Bullying & Harassment held last month in Cardiff.  Her academic article (“The Need for a Revitalized Regulatory Scheme to Address Workplace Bullying in the United States: Harnessing the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act”) suggests that OSHA may be able to help victims/targets of Workplace Bullying: “OSHA’s existing regulatory scheme should incorporate workplace bullying because OSHA is a singularly appropriate vehicle for such efforts and because prevention of workplace bullying through an existing scheme complements efforts to enact new legislation specifically addressing the problem.”  Continue reading →

Mediation with Workplace Bullies?

Posted on by
8

For me, the most interesting part of a recent Chronicle of Higher Education article about the use of mediation in combating Workplace Bullying were the comments and there were LOTS of them.  Most argued, I think  correctly, that malicious bullies can’t be reckoned with.  And, while victims should not be further traumatized in order for an employer to try to make the Bully a better person…is every ‘abrasive‘ boss a bully?  I’ve had to deal with both.  Continue reading →