Schoolyard Bullying in Today's Workplace

Schoolyard Bullying in Today's Workplace
by: Arleen M. Kaptur

In today's economy, corporate CEO's and upper management personnel are under scrutiny more than they have ever been. This leads to behavior that is growing more and more violent as bottom lines are not met and sales are dim. The other side of the coin is that workers are exposed to more unfair practices and workplace harassment because, in essence, they tolerate such behavior because of fear of loss of employment and their pay checks.

From the top echelons in companies to branch managers and departmental staff, "bullying" has become a way to vent frustration and uncertainty. This can be compared to "school-yard" bullying but an adult version of this travesty. Common respect has been laid aside and excuses such as "It was just a joke" or "It was just harmless fun" are seeing no sympathy in court systems around the U.S.

Harassment is more than sexual in today's workplace. It involves physical, emotional and mental intimidation as well. Actions such as constant humiliation, a barrage of petty criticisms, relentless insults and sarcasm constitute unhealthy environments for any worker. Managers vent out business, family, and personal agitations because of money problems, and responsibilities. Workers, in turn, face a new threat in the workplace - abuse that centers on cruelty and a lack of respect. In the past, workers would never allow themselves to be on the receiving end of bad behavior by those who are "above" them in the corporate structures. Branch managers violent privacy rights of the worker by showing a more aggressive approach to insulting and "cutting down" those they are hired to motivate and direct. When a worker is humiliated in front of fellow workers, some feel it is "open territory" to continue the actions of their supervisor by further insulting or using non stop verbal abuse toward the one that has been targeted by "those in charge." This leads to further violations of workplace ethics. There are company polices that deal with issues of "privacy" and "harassment" but in some places they are ignored and used as bait to demean and hurt so that the person doing the actions feels better at the end of the day. This is a form of mental unbalance which believes that if you vent out your personal frustrations onto another person who is forced to deal with your bad behavior because of financial issues, then you are better for it and can go home and face life in a better mood - not so. You will still carry with you the bad character traits that make you believe in such nonsense to begin with. Respect is not a given - it must be earned and while you were hired for your expertise in a certain field, people skills were a part of your job description. You cannot motivate individuals if you carry on with a barrage of insults and remarks that in a barroom would cause you to get "your act together" before someone does it for you.

There are avenues for workers to take when a manager causes them distressin any form - sexual, mental, emotional or physical. Going to company headquarters and documenting the actions of those in charge is just a start. Companies should have policies in place to deal with such issues and investigations should be discreet and meaningful. If companies lack in these requirements of labor law, then the federal Department of Labor has the means to deal with such travesties. Intimidation has cost businesses in fines and awards that are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and in some cases in the millions. They lead to such actions as dismissal, and mandatory counseling or anger management which puts a black mark on any future job possibilities for those who dish out bad behavior. Attorneys specializing in such actions have had unprecedented success against companies whose management have behaved in dangerous and unacceptable conduct.

If you are a victim, keeping notes of names, places, times, and remarks or actions taken is vital. Remember that if you take matters into your own hands, however, you will also lose in the end. Allow the agencies that specialize in such occurrences to handle the issues for you and let them reach an amicable and fair conclusion. You do not have to take taunts and humiliation in today's workplace, no matter the economic climate your company may find itself in. You do have rights and there are remedies, but only if you allow those who are trained to deal in such issues to do what they are hired to do - protect workers from unfair managerial staff. As you can see by today's headlines, even CEO's find themselves under fire.
Something to think about
©Arleen M. Kaptur February, 2009