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Bullying Hits the Spotlight Again...Now What?

11/12/2013

8 Comments

 
The current news story about bullying incidents in the Miami Dolphins franchise has taken some extraordinary turns. At first there was disbelief, even derision, surrounding the notion that that one burly pro football player could be bullied by another. “Why not just ‘man up’ and have it out?” much of the talk went. But as details emerged, the scope of the problem began to dawn.  While there is surely much we do not know about this situation, there is one thing we do know.  Professional football constitutes a workplace, and no one should be harassed or “bullied’ in any workplace.  
        Statistics vary, but some studies reveal that nearly half of all American workers have been affected by                     workplace abuse, either as a target of such behavior—from yelling, threats, and rumors to manipulative                 techniques such as isolation and sabotage of work performance—or as witnesses to abuse aimed at a                     co-worker.

        It’s not clear if bullying is actually on the rise or if more people feel free to discuss it now that the                             phenomenon   has come to light.  We are relieved that these practices have emerged from the shadows so             that those who are  vulnerable will feel freer to express themselves.

Please let us hear from you:  Have you been bullied or witnessed bullying in the workplace?  What did you do in response? Share your responses to this weekly discussion question here.  
8 Comments
jacqueline
11/12/2013 02:01:09 am

Working for the state - I have experienced bullying. I watched for several years others bullied. I reported it to my supervisor but the bully would lie about me behind my back to him and discredit me. The HR department protected the bully (s). The Union was unable to address it because there is no law against bullying. I finally left - but the bully continues to target and bully others-still. In that particular enviornment bullying was prevasive and allowed.

Reply
Kathy
11/16/2013 01:54:50 am

I have had the same experience. In my office, the supervisors made it look as though I was the incompetent one. I was honest about what was going on, ignored, and eventually pushed out of that office. They won! It is disheartening.

Reply
Tom Gaydos link
11/12/2013 02:03:21 am

Bullying can come in many degrees and forms. With the Football story, it bordered on criminal. My experience is it takes a strong and committed management team to confront the individual even when the aggressor is insidious in their ways.

BTW, these capsules are GREAT! tg

Reply
Fabienne Peter-Contesse
11/12/2013 03:27:02 am

I was bullied (manipulated, discredited, attacked, and embarrassed in public meetings) in my previous position by a senior manager (who continues to bully many people). After months of this I confronted him, told him it had to stop, and he pulled a "Who, me?" attitude, implying I was way off the mark. The bullying stopped, but instead I was isolated from his work and decisions affecting my work. I learned to work around him to get the information I needed, and to stay out of his way.

What's incredible is that department leadership still allows him to behave this way because of his unique and excellent skill set in other areas. Going back to an earlier capsule, this is one person who was very difficult to forgive.

In many instances over 23 years in state government I've seen leadership turn a blind eye to unacceptable workplace behaviors because of exceptional qualifications in other areas, and as a leader I am committed to not allowing it, and confronting it. We all deserve safe homes and safe workplaces.

Reply
ava
11/13/2013 12:09:14 pm

Do you suppose that bullying is an artifact of the way our culture defines power? Is our goal as a species to empower or to dominate?

Reply
Susan and Peter
11/15/2013 01:11:51 am

We have viewed these posts repeatedly, with gratitude that you would share the gift of your personal experiences so that others can view their own bullying pain through your voices. As powerful people, your words can make others feel safer. Thank you.

Reply
Kathy
11/16/2013 01:52:42 am

I too work for the state and yes, I have witnessed and been a victim of it. When attempting to address the issue with that supervisor's supervisor, I was essentially made to feel as though no matter what I said I was the one doing the bullying. The issues were "addressed to their satisfaction" yet there was no resolution for ME. Therefore, they were not addressed. The union was of no help in any situation (there were several), I no longer work in that office but am frustrated about it just the same because no one listened. They got together in the supervisory pact and whatever was brought to light by the worker bees (underlings) was ignored. Just another sign of poor leadership and we wonder why things are the way that they are. :(

Reply
ava
11/16/2013 02:34:57 am

I'm reading a book called Democracy at Work by economist Richard Wolff. The problems I have experienced (and what I think others here are describing) I believe would be largely resolved by what Wolff is proposing: more democratic work structures. I have felt scapegoated at times where I work; however the groupthink of those at the top of the hierarchy usually defines the situation in the end. In my world, this pattern has accelerated since the recession. I recommend this short book for those who are interested in this topic. I appreciate everyone's contributions here a great deal.

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