.jpg)
Workplace bullying, more damaging than sexual harassment
A boss, who threatens employees, uses scare tactics, makes unfounded accusations, screams and abuses, is a workplace bully and one of the most harmful types of people to deal with. Employees who contend on daily basis with a bullying boss have suffered serious mental and health consequences as a result of being exposed to abusive behaviors.
According to WBI-Zogby U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey, 54 million Americans are bullied each year and the effect of workplace abuse on employees was more detrimental to their health than that of sexual harassment.
Beverly Peterson, a documentary filmmaker based in New York, suffered similarly at the hands of an abusive boss. “In little more than two years, my boss bullied her way through six or more employees in the same position before me. The better I was at my job, the better she got at being a bully and the more outrageous her behavior became," she recalls.
When Peterson contacted an attorney, she was told that workplace bullying was in fact legal and that there was really nothing she could do. Peterson was so traumatized by her experience with a bullying boss that she began a crusade to end workplace abuse. She started filming the experiences of other victims in an effort to raise awareness on this issue and its devastating effects on employees: She is also the founder of nojobisworththis.com, a Web site that explores workplace abuses.
“This is about those rogue bosses who have slithered their way up through the cracks in the corporate ladder. The ones determined to target one employee after another and emotionally destroy them. In the schoolyard we learned to stand up to a bully. But in the workplace, the… same approach might cost you your job, benefits, savings, and your health," Peterson says.
Now the government is stepping in to combat workplace harassment: New York State is working on passing a bill to study the affect of hostile work environments. There are laws to protect employees against discrimination and sexual harassment but no specific law protecting workers against workplace abuse and bullying. This study bill will be the first step in implementing an anti-bullying policy against employers. In parts of Canada and Europe, anti-workplace abuse law is in full effect.
"Everybody knows the difference between right and wrong. If people cannot go to work because they're sick to their stomach everyday and because they're being taken advantage of, or they're being yelled at, these things are wrong and we're asking the Department of Labor, in a comprehensive way, to help us," says NY Assemblyman Mark Schroeder. State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson links workplace abuse as a form of domestic violence.
Peterson believes that if appropriate laws are enacted, bullying and abusive bosses can be put on guard and eventually stopped.
“I can’t wait for the public forum this will create in allowing all of us… to address this issue from a legal standpoint. I’d like to see this include business leaders, HR representatives, advocates and researchers,” Peterson says. “Most aggressive managers can change their behavior when faced with a truly firm understanding that this behavior will not be tolerated by upper management. For me, the law steps in to protect the employee in cases when the management is unwilling to"
Tracey and Kali’s Law chronicles the after effects of a single mother Tracey, whose boss threatened her with isolation and psychological intimidation. After leaving the job, Tracey suffered severe depression, lost her home, and savings.
Marlene's Law tells the story of a woman whose boss terrorized her so much that she ultimately committed suicide.
<<previous>> <<next, The two-faced boss>>
Comments
Your article was great, but how do you fight this. I am in a situation now where my boss goes out drinking with 3 or 4 guys from the department. He has given them my work and they are doing their best to undermine me and make life miserable for others.
If you're a woman, what your boss is doing is gender discrimination and there is plenty you can do. If you're a guy, then it's workplace bullying and that's harder to handle bec. there are no laws yet on workplace bullying.
You can try to address your concerns to your boss in an email, and maybe cc his boss and HR on it. (be diplomatic, non-accusing and make it abt the company, not you personally) However, this is likely to land you in even deeper trouble and your boss can very well retaliate against you and try to terminate your employment.
I would recommend staying put until something better comes along-- only bec. the job outlook is so bad.
Check your facts. Workplace bullying laws are not in full-force in Canada. And Bev Peterson came to this decade-old legislative campaign last summer. Please give credit where due.
Is there any legal recourse that employees can take against abusive bosses? I'm in an awful situation where my boss screams and curses at me, berates me, has made me cry multiple times, has done cocaine in front of me, subjects me to seeing photographic evidence of his extramarital affair...I mean...the list goes on. He now seems to want to replace me with an old friend and the abuse has gotten worse. What can I do???
Jen, what your boss is doing is illegal and I would file a formal complaint w/ HR and then go to the police. If there you can get evidence of him doing drugs, get the pictures of his affairs, it's even better for your case. I would make that complaint ASAP.
While thee are no laws against bullying, there are laws against doing drugs and showing sexual images to employees-- sexual harassment. From what you tell me, it sounds like he's getting ready to replace you so you don't have anything to lose in making a formal complaint.
And if you do get discharged, you've got a retaliation claim.
As a professional coach specializing in workplace bullying, I say hurrah for this piece of research. Beverly Peterson is a friend of mine and I'm participating in her on-going video library of stories. We're hoping for legislation to help companies and targets handle bullying. In the meantime I've created my own paradigm to identify and handle bullying. In this 3-part system targets have a plethora of effective responses otherwise unavailable to them. In particular watch for the bully who is consolidating power through bullying. This is one case where reporting is detrimental. Instead we need a confidence building strategic plan to take back the office.
kschulweis@gmail.com
My boss is a bully. He enjoys traumatizing his employees, but not me. I've spoken up to him many times and so I have no problem with him. In fact I question his decision making all the time and he hates that. I've learned to stand up to bullies or I threaten to report them to HR. I'm also a loose cannon so most people think twice before confronting me at work.
This is all good and fine but when your bully boss is the head of "HR" there is no where to go. And trust me, that makes their game, rage, and antics that much more horrific.
I hope this passes. I worked for a bully/alcoholic at NaHoku jewelry store in Denver. The other employees told me they had no idea how I could stand it or why I hadn't quit. I was finally fired a year later and received unemployment benefits which helped me until I got another job. My next boss was also an alcoholic and bordered on bullying behavior. I became depressed, lost weight, was extremely anxious and don't know I how I managed to keep my job. I am 50, and before this, I always had good bosses and for the most part enjoyed my jobs. I am not sure what HR is supposed to do, but have been told they are for the company, not the employee.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!