Comments on: A Conclusion on Workplace Bullying

By: Bernie Althofer

Bernie Althofer — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 02:48:19 +0000

Workplace bullying has to be one of the most insidious practices that has such damaging long term effects on individuals. There is no easy solution, and no one solution that can be applied to every person who is attacked. The ‘culture’ of an organisation plays a large part in determining what is tolerated and what is accepted. Until this changes, we are all going to be battling the incoming tide. For those wanting to take action, I think that the emerging Work Health and Safety Act will put Executives in the public and private sector on notice. The changes in relation to ‘officers’ and what they have to do to meet their obligations and due diligence should have them questioning what is going on in their organisation. Changes to ‘worker’ and ‘what is a workplace’ will in my mind broader the area of culpability. I understand why individuals do not report bullying – fear of job loss, repeat victimisation and intimidation, and seeing how the bully gets rewarded. I am also extremely dissappointed that individuals who are subjected to the most extreme bullying behaviours bordering on corruption, can have past medical/medical health conditions (e.g. mild depression) thrown up in their face as a reason why they are to blame for being a victim. When decisions like this are made, it just validates the actions of the bully/bullies and drive another nail into the coffin of the victim. Is it any wonder that people won’t report bullying when they are going to be bullied by the system that should be there to help them? There are some good people out there standing up and speaking out so they should be supported in a positive way. One bullying case in a smallish organisation has cost $740,000 so far. WorkCover Victoria has launched a campaign – 1165 complaints – 2400 workers compensation claims – cost more than $60 million. This does not count the long term physical or psychological costs. As a person whose claim for bullying was just accepted two years after it was initially by the investigator ‘to have nothing in it’, the organisation has ‘lost’ a formerly highly productive and determined person – now they just turn up for the money and do the basics.

By: Bernie Althofer

Bernie Althofer — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 06:11:05 +0000

Everyone who has responded has provided some extremely valid points and despite all the work that has been and is being done to change what is happening, there is still a long way to go. Decisions to report the bully (who by the way is one responsible for all the physical, psychological and financial costs incurred) are never easy. In many cases, the bully is seen to be the one getting the outcomes and is rewarded for that. The bully may have been picked by a promotion panel and the panel may not want to admit they made an error of judgement. One of reasons why I wrote a book was to leave a legacy that might just help one person who is being bullied. As a practitioner, I still find that that many of the victims I speak to talk of how the system is against them, the bully always wins, it is a lonely time (even family and friends turn against them), and yet they still go to work – simply to put food on the table or to pay other debts. Every time someone responds to my comments, I gain new ideas about issues that need to be addressed. Culture – particularly unwritten ground rules and expectations are two of the key issues that need to be addressed. No victim of workplace bullying should believe they are alone – there are people to talk to, but I strongly advocate that if you are victim (or even believe that the workplace behaviours being displayed towards you are not appropriate) record the date, time, place, who was present, who said what, what you said to the person, how you reacted (including your emotional response), witnesses (and what they said or did), and even how family or friends reacted when (and if) you told them. Put your notes in a safe place – you might need them later for a Court, Commission or Tribunal hearing or mediation. Some victims will be so traumatised by what has happened, they may not make notes for some time so it will be harded to remember all the finer details. It will be difficult, but try and make the notes as soon as possible. I have been trying to find out just how much bullying costs, but it appear there is still nothing to give a precise account of all the costs. It appears that if bullying happens in the public sector, the taxpayer has to wear the costs (caused by the bully) and the consumer pays for bullying in the private sector. By the way, some Courts, Commissions and Tribunals seem to be commenting on Codes of Conduct, particularly the need to treat people with respect. Take care.

By: Elisha

Elisha — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:22:35 +0000

I read this recent and final part to your article. I have found that the culture of bullying is still safe guarded by the intimidation of the associated costs in the options of action. The loss of job, the loss of respect, and the alternative responses to a person that makes ruffles. the cost therefore escalates for the individual that is being treated by attacks that cause their sense of continual victimisation. As indicated its nice to think that we are able to stand up for our rights to a non harrassing workplace but the losses mostly fall at the expense of the individual either way.

By: Moon

Moon — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 05:57:35 +0000

I was in a bullying culture which was not pleasant. Started seeing others being the victim then came my turn. We had been a good team but a few changes in staff and all went toxic. It was stressful but more a pack dog type bullying, not getting invited to lunch all of a sudden and being given far too much work. Then I started to act in a stress way which validated many attitudes. However still manageable I thought. Just slow wearing down on my self esteem which had it stopped there feel I could have recovered from. Then a new manager started who was alpha bully and he walked into a culture where it was easy for him to garner support. From then on hell.

Before I was outgoing, sociable, loved fun too much maybe, was always a valued employee and drank too much at parties. Was buying two houses with mortgage nearly paid off on primary property.

After. Facing financial ruin, have no friends, no desire to go out, only can stand short stints of temp work when I prefer to keep to myself. Drink too much period, but never at parties.

How can a person change so much in a few short years?

If I can teach anyone anything it is that you feel mental breakdown can never happen to me. I thought people were born that way. I never knew exposure to this type of abuse over 4 years could change me so profoundly and possibly affect the rest of my life.

So never feel safe if you are popular and well liked. Do not feel safe if you get the age of 40 without any mental health issues so it will never happen. .

If you suffer any stress for too long it may scar you for life, no return, so minimise exposure to any stress. Short term financial stress is easier to deal with than long term financial ruin. I was in my 40′s when it happened and had no real bad workplace problems before. So it can strike at anytime.

If you see someone bullied in the workplace suggest they call you at home or meet for a coffee and explain that if you are seen to support the victim it makes you insecure so would like to help but away from the office. This way at least the victim feels someone cares. It is very lonely. You can see the look of horror in the eyes of good people but they usually prefer to stay out of it as they need to protect themselves.

Pray for justice. There is none now, None. Nadar. I know it will reduce my life like James Hardie victims. No justice. The bully in my case got a demotion but stayed employed. The managers I wrote to refused to even reply to my mails because they could not deny it happened and therefore would expose the company to lawsuit. So they protected the bully.

Try to find a discrimination angle if need be. Race, sex or religion. Only way. The you have human rights on your side.

By: David hogard

David hogard — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:49:15 +0000

I just came across to your blog and reading your blog this is very much inspired me that,Recent media sources indicate that workplace bullying is escalating. Court, Commission and Tribunal decisions are resulting in an increased need for organizations and individuals to be increasingly vigilant about issues that will impact on workplace bullying allegations.

http://justblogme.com/workworkwork/326071/5+Important+Facts+for+Safe+and+Healthy+workplace.html

By: John

John — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 04:30:39 +0000

This has been a great eye opener about workplace bullying but I did not think that it went far enough in terms of how the victim sufferred as a result and perhaps this was not the intent of the writer at this stage. I know of two situations from within very high profile organisations that were managed very differently but both at the end of the day did not resolve the issue as the person doing the bullying still maintains both in their job and profile. Both recipiants sufferred enormously with one hanging onto their job as they need it badly and the other being shown the front door with HR saying something entirely different for the termination. You wonder why people do not report or even want a lot to do with this type of situation-the major reason is its beyond their control and nothing happens because you get known as whistle blower. This sounds terribly negative i know and its easy to say stand up and put these people back in their boxes where they belong but put yourself in their shoes(the recipiannt) and all of a sudden its not so easy. I agree with the writer that there is one heck of alot more to do in this area within the workplace. Costs at work at one thng, the costs bourne by the individual are another.