Bully Money
I think I may be a bully because this Wall Street Journal article, to me, borders on the absurd.
New research highlights the prevalence and dangers of workplace bullying. In a 2007 survey of 1,000 U.S. workers, 44% said they had worked for a boss they considered abusive. The survey was sponsored by the Employment Law Alliance, an association of 3,000 employment lawyers.
In a 2004 survey by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Heath, 25% of companies reported bullying incidents in the previous year. More incidents were attributed to co-workers than to supervisors. The study was part of the institute’s research on work-related stress.
This year, two Canadian professors concluded bullying can take a more severe emotional and physical toll than sexual harassment, perhaps because companies provide greater support for victims of the latter.
“Abusive” is a completely-loaded word that is difficult to define in this context. I’m also thinking this bullying movement could spell some trouble for High D managers.
However, I think this paragraph sums up the motivation situation:
Some business groups and lawmakers say workplace bullying is too difficult to define, and a poorly worded law would expose businesses to unnecessary lawsuits.
I think there would be a flood of frivolous lawsuits if this idea became law.
Posted By Derrick Moe | Leadership, Team Management | | 
Comments(2)
If you are a workplace bully, you know it. Bullies know how they act although they do not like to take responsibility for their actions. Sure, there are a few overly sensitive employees who are looking for a Utopian environment where nobody will disturb their perfect cubicle kingdom. However, bullies typically are creating a hostile work environment on a premeditated basis. So, I doubt if you could be a bully and not know it. Bullies need to be given permanent pink slips and go to work for World Wrestling Entertainment where their evil talents can be better utilized.
Kevin – love the WWE line with “evil talents.” That made me laugh. Attempting to legislate bully behavior is my issue. I think most companies will handle the issue internally with a pink slip being an appropriate outcome.