Growing push to halt workplace bullying, abuse
WASHINGTON (AP) - Margaret Fiester is no shrinking violet, but she says working for her former boss was a nightmare.
"One day I didn't do something right and she actually laid her hands on me and got up in my face and started yelling, 'Why did you do that?'" said Fiester, who worked as a legal assistant for an attorney.
Fiester doesn't have to worry about those tirades anymore, but she hears lots of similar stories in her current role as operations manager at the Society for Human Resource Management, where she often fields questions about the growing issue of workplace bullying.
On-the-job bullying can take many forms, from a supervisor's verbal abuse and threats to cruel comments or relentless teasing by a co-worker. And it could become the next major battleground in employment law as a growing number of states consider legislation that would let workers sue for harassment that causes physical or emotional harm.
"I believe this is the new claim that employers will deal with. This will replace sexual harassment," said Sharon Parella, a management-side employment lawyer in New York. "People who oppose it say these laws will force people to be polite at work. But you can no longer go to work and act like a beast and get away with it."
Many companies already recognize workplace bullying as a problem that can sap morale, lead to increased employee turnover and even affect the bottom line. Half the employers in a 2011 survey by the management association reported incidents of bullying in their workplace, and about a fourth of human resource professionals themselves said they had been bullied.
At St. Anthony North Hospital outside of Denver, human resources director Robert Archibold says most of the bullying incidents he sees are peer-to-peer. In a recent case, one worker got offended by a co-worker's remark and suggested they "take it out to the parking lot." The offending worker was suspended under the hospital's anti-bullying policy, which has been in place for more than a decade.
"Hostile work environments, threats, bullying can come from anywhere," he said. "You can't tell by looking at someone who it will be."
One reason the issue has attracted more attention in recent years is that parents who deal with school bullying realize it can happen in the workplace, too.
Some employers have put into place anti-bullying policies, but advocacy groups want to go even further. They have been urging states to give legal rights to workers who do not already fit into a protected class based on race, gender or national origin.
More than a dozen states - including New York and Massachusetts - have considered anti-bullying laws in the past year that would allow litigants to pursue lost wages, benefits and medical expenses and compel employers to prevent an "abusive work environment."
Gary Namie, a social psychologist who co-founded the Bellingham, Wash.-based Workplace Bullying Institute in 1997, is among those leading the charge, along with labor unions and civil rights groups. He says the economic downturn has made bullying even worse and argues that passage of the laws would give employers more incentive to crack down on bad behavior in the workplace.
"People are trapped; they don't have the same alternative jobs to jump to," Namie said. "They are staying longer in these pressured, stress-filled, toxic work environments."
Business groups have strongly opposed the measures, arguing they would open the floodgates to frivolous lawsuits.
"We would look at a bill like this as overreaching," said Marc Freedman, executive director of labor law policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He said the bill would punish an employer for acts of its employees that it may not be able to anticipate.
But Parella, the employment lawyer, thinks it's only a matter of time before states begin passing these laws and bullying issues become a major factor in workplace litigation.
"Once it passes in a few states, there will be a chain reaction," she said, noting that other countries such as England, Ireland and Sweden already have laws addressing workplace harassment.
In Massachusetts, the National Association of Government Employees Local 282 has been one the first unions in the country to include an anti-bullying clause in collective bargaining agreements.
"From a labor perspective, we want there to be remedies in place for corrections to be made, not to yell, scream, threaten or treat the person basically like a slave," said Greg Sorozan, president of NAGE, which represents about 12,000 public employees.
In 2008, Sorozan succeeded in placing "mutual respect" provisions in labor contracts with the state that say harassment, abusive language and bullying behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace. It allows workers to raise concerns with managers and file a grievance if not satisfied.
Sorozan said the provision recently helped workers in a state office who complained about a manager who acted bizarrely, leering at employees over cubicles and randomly punishing those who questioned him by reassigning them or refusing to let them take vacations. After the union complained, the manager was eventually forced out.
The management association survey found that 56 percent of companies have some kind of anti-bullying policy, usually contained in an employee handbook or code of conduct. Most said their response to bullying allegations depends on the circumstances but could include suspension, termination, reassignment or mandatory anger management training.
Employers say the vast majority of bullying incidents are verbal abuse, such as shouting, swearing and name-calling, along with malicious gossip, rumors and lies. Bullying through technology, such as Facebook or other social media, accounted for about 1 in 5 incidents, the survey found.
"It's usually the manager or senior executive who's just a complete out-of-control jerk," Fiester said. "Everyone's going to be walking around on eggshells around somebody like that. You're afraid to make mistakes, you're afraid to speak up, you're afraid to challenge."
If the bully is a senior manager or CEO, resolving a complaint can be tricky for a low-level human resources employee.
"It might be a little bit difficult to discipline the CEO," said Fiester, the human resources adviser. "You are really walking a tightrope."
She suggests approaching someone else in senior management who might be in a better position to approach the boss.
"One day I didn't do something right and she actually laid her hands on me and got up in my face and started yelling, 'Why did you do that?'" said Fiester, who worked as a legal assistant for an attorney.
Fiester doesn't have to worry about those tirades anymore, but she hears lots of similar stories in her current role as operations manager at the Society for Human Resource Management, where she often fields questions about the growing issue of workplace bullying.
On-the-job bullying can take many forms, from a supervisor's verbal abuse and threats to cruel comments or relentless teasing by a co-worker. And it could become the next major battleground in employment law as a growing number of states consider legislation that would let workers sue for harassment that causes physical or emotional harm.
"I believe this is the new claim that employers will deal with. This will replace sexual harassment," said Sharon Parella, a management-side employment lawyer in New York. "People who oppose it say these laws will force people to be polite at work. But you can no longer go to work and act like a beast and get away with it."
Many companies already recognize workplace bullying as a problem that can sap morale, lead to increased employee turnover and even affect the bottom line. Half the employers in a 2011 survey by the management association reported incidents of bullying in their workplace, and about a fourth of human resource professionals themselves said they had been bullied.
At St. Anthony North Hospital outside of Denver, human resources director Robert Archibold says most of the bullying incidents he sees are peer-to-peer. In a recent case, one worker got offended by a co-worker's remark and suggested they "take it out to the parking lot." The offending worker was suspended under the hospital's anti-bullying policy, which has been in place for more than a decade.
"Hostile work environments, threats, bullying can come from anywhere," he said. "You can't tell by looking at someone who it will be."
One reason the issue has attracted more attention in recent years is that parents who deal with school bullying realize it can happen in the workplace, too.
Some employers have put into place anti-bullying policies, but advocacy groups want to go even further. They have been urging states to give legal rights to workers who do not already fit into a protected class based on race, gender or national origin.
More than a dozen states - including New York and Massachusetts - have considered anti-bullying laws in the past year that would allow litigants to pursue lost wages, benefits and medical expenses and compel employers to prevent an "abusive work environment."
Gary Namie, a social psychologist who co-founded the Bellingham, Wash.-based Workplace Bullying Institute in 1997, is among those leading the charge, along with labor unions and civil rights groups. He says the economic downturn has made bullying even worse and argues that passage of the laws would give employers more incentive to crack down on bad behavior in the workplace.
"People are trapped; they don't have the same alternative jobs to jump to," Namie said. "They are staying longer in these pressured, stress-filled, toxic work environments."
Business groups have strongly opposed the measures, arguing they would open the floodgates to frivolous lawsuits.
"We would look at a bill like this as overreaching," said Marc Freedman, executive director of labor law policy for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He said the bill would punish an employer for acts of its employees that it may not be able to anticipate.
But Parella, the employment lawyer, thinks it's only a matter of time before states begin passing these laws and bullying issues become a major factor in workplace litigation.
"Once it passes in a few states, there will be a chain reaction," she said, noting that other countries such as England, Ireland and Sweden already have laws addressing workplace harassment.
In Massachusetts, the National Association of Government Employees Local 282 has been one the first unions in the country to include an anti-bullying clause in collective bargaining agreements.
"From a labor perspective, we want there to be remedies in place for corrections to be made, not to yell, scream, threaten or treat the person basically like a slave," said Greg Sorozan, president of NAGE, which represents about 12,000 public employees.
In 2008, Sorozan succeeded in placing "mutual respect" provisions in labor contracts with the state that say harassment, abusive language and bullying behavior will not be tolerated in the workplace. It allows workers to raise concerns with managers and file a grievance if not satisfied.
Sorozan said the provision recently helped workers in a state office who complained about a manager who acted bizarrely, leering at employees over cubicles and randomly punishing those who questioned him by reassigning them or refusing to let them take vacations. After the union complained, the manager was eventually forced out.
The management association survey found that 56 percent of companies have some kind of anti-bullying policy, usually contained in an employee handbook or code of conduct. Most said their response to bullying allegations depends on the circumstances but could include suspension, termination, reassignment or mandatory anger management training.
Employers say the vast majority of bullying incidents are verbal abuse, such as shouting, swearing and name-calling, along with malicious gossip, rumors and lies. Bullying through technology, such as Facebook or other social media, accounted for about 1 in 5 incidents, the survey found.
"It's usually the manager or senior executive who's just a complete out-of-control jerk," Fiester said. "Everyone's going to be walking around on eggshells around somebody like that. You're afraid to make mistakes, you're afraid to speak up, you're afraid to challenge."
If the bully is a senior manager or CEO, resolving a complaint can be tricky for a low-level human resources employee.
"It might be a little bit difficult to discipline the CEO," said Fiester, the human resources adviser. "You are really walking a tightrope."
She suggests approaching someone else in senior management who might be in a better position to approach the boss.
I believe companies are more productive when we bring each other up! Not break them down...
Nice! Sounds like you were lucky in your employer too
I've stood up for myself against bullies. Heck, I'm very outspoken. But I've still suffered from bullying at nearly every job I've had. The kind that makes you physically ill at work all the time from the stress.
It shouldn't.
Also, if you've ever been involved in a lawsuit you'll know that it's hard and costly. It definitely isn't a case of "politicians and law-makers fighting your battles for you," as you said earlier. It's a battle you fight and pay for yourself. It's a battle to prove that you suffered loss due to someone's malice and bad actions against you. No one molly coddles you through a lawsuit. It's actually something that empowers victims TO fight their own battles with the help of their lawyer. A lawyer that THEY pay.
sounds like wrongful dismissal to me! what a jerk boss
Denise, pardon my french, but don't be f&*^ing stupid. If you feel that way, fine. But try to look past yourself to people who have different experiences, different advantages and different personalities than yours. Perhaps you have never been a victim to workplace bullying, or bullying of any kind. Perhaps you've never lived paycheck to paycheck because you have no family or anyone to rely on and make very little. But there are those that have and that DO. It's not hard to back off someone who is on your level at a job, they have no authority over you. When it becomes horrible is when a boss or supervisor becomes abusive, cruel, rude, undermining, sabotaging, and all you can do is stand back and try to comply so as not to lose your job. Bullies are people who create reasons to go into a rage, because it's the fear and submission they see in you that is their goal. Because it pads their ego. It doesn't improve productivity or help a company in any way. It harms a company. It's cruel, malicious, childish and totally vile behavior that has no place in a professional environment. And frankly the only the people who would want to keep these laws from happening are those who like to bully.
Kelli I dont know how many times I can say it..I am For laws against bullying. My point was to show people who tolerate bullying because they are afraid to lose their jobs that sometimes it is better to quit and live with less than continue to be bullied. I hoped it would help others not to glorify myself. There is a way to handle it..go to the top, take a risk and stop these bullys. Most people won't because they do not want to lose their jobs. I agree with other posters who say we are adults not innocent children. If we don't t make an effort to change the workplace environment we can't expect others to...it only takes one hero and I am not saying violence is the answer. Don't take care of the bully by being a bully yourself. This is a topic that should be explored and the media is a good way. Write to Dr. Phil or oprah....So Kelli I hope that clears up confusion to where I stand. I probably shouldnt share so much, I am a writer so its a hard habit to break. Just wanted to help.
very good point.
I'm glad you're doing well, but I'm still wondering how your story is a testimony to why laws against workplace bullying SHOULDN'T exist.
but then that person can have you charged with assault, a criminal offense, and they're off free making themselves look like the victim. Which bullies love to do
just go to work and do what your told...you're there to make a pay check not to further the company you work at...and if you have issues with your boss call LnI.........no wonder kids can't handle name calling and call it bullying their parents are just as sissified as they are
Kelli I agree being bullied by someone who basically holds your life in their hands is terrible and worse than perhaps a family member. No one should be allowed to get away with workplace bullying, but either kind still hurts the same. With your job depending on the circumstance, its easier in the long run to stand up against it and risk losing your job than sacrificing your happiness and your health. One thing I have learned since losing my job is that it is so much easier to live simply. When you are faced with living on the streets you appreciate the small things We have been blessed to have found a great place to live where our rent includes everything. Its not fancy, we live in the bottom half of a house with a great older couple. We were living in a run down motel room, 3 of us 2 cats and the bathroom well no other way to say it when you sat down you looked into the kitchenette as it was. This opportunity came along and we didnt care what it looked like. We have two bedrooms a kitchen and a family room you have to go thru . garage to get to and a huge bathroom. I have never been happier in my life. My story is long but we knew no one when we moved here and due to some bad people we suffered. But we found a nice small church we can walk to and have made great friends. The job search is awful but we learned to think out of the box. We are starting a business, I clean houses and we are making it. It will get better but we will never go back to being materialistic and eating out all the time. We fully intend to give back andj just be happy. It was our dream to live in Washington...it started out rough but we feel like we are finally home.
I would never tolerate it. Not even once!
Bullying happens to all age groups and it's everywhere in the world.
ya by the guy who sighed my checks
What the heck... That's easy for a middle-aged white male to say. When were you ever the victim of sexual harassment or bullying? This world was made for you. Try a little compassion and broad-mindedness man.
awesome!
Oh my gosh Carol! that sucks so much
Trying to make someone feel like you're better than them IS an attempt to dominate them though. Don't you see? I'm glad you've grown stronger and have found a way to stave off any bad behavior from your in-law. It does sound like a rather mild case though. And bullying in the context of the workplace is much more serious. It adds a lot more pressure and various other dynamics as well. A person goes to work every day and their survival depends on their job. Your in-law can't take away your income. You don't owe anything to him. A boss though, if you defend yourself, he can take away your ability to pay rent and buy food. If you believe in "right" (you said you're religious) you should agree that it's not "right" for a boss to act like a tyrant or to be cruel, mean, and rant at employees when they've done nothing, simply to make them afraid because it strokes his weak ego to see people squirm in fear.
if we address bullying at a micro level then maybe we can address global conflict.
Corporate America SUCKS!!
It's not just in pubescent people
I agree with your comment Kelli. The person I was referring to didn't want to dominate me, he wanted to make me feel like he was better than I was. Threw in the appropriate fbombs and the like. Luckily I don't have to see him, he is a family member (inlaw) he has always been this way towards me and my husband. So now he doesn't bother us....it helps that I have a strong faith, so I know that someday, he will have to deal with all of it. This person does it to other people too, and has probably gotten away with it. I have grown much stronger these last two years and I won't take it any more.
just look at what Rex Reed publicly said about Melisa McCarthy!
Someone who wants to dominate you through bullying won't back down because you said something nice to them. They want you to submit. Period. That's all they want. If they responded to kindness they wouldn't be a bully. Therefore the only way to stop their bullying behavior is to submit. You may think you've stopped them or "calmed" them with a patronizing, fake-nice comment or two but you haven't. They'll only ease up a bit once they feel they've got you under their thumb. But even at that point it won't stop. If you ever try to gain autonomy from their dominance they'll start back up with it again. Bullying isn't something that functions on a logical level, like something that attempts to illicit a specific action, and once that action has been manifested it stops. No. It's a form of toxic social interaction that functions solely to play off of people's insecurities on a constant basis to sabotage their self-esteem, to victimize them and to force them into a submissive stance. Bullying is toxic, and the people that do it in workplaces harm the businesses they work for by distracting people's energies from the betterment of their company, and turn it onto blame shifting, self-defense and petty social squabbles.
@Kelli Albright Wow, that was so well put.Â
Yes, one time in particular: Started throwing up violently and involuntarily whenever it was time to go back to work. Really relieved when the bully resigned. She was a nightmare and a sadist.
where I worked at, you could get fired for that, my boyfriend worked at a place for twenty years and got upset about something and was fired the same day.
Maybe I should get in to employment law..have to find my passion
Exactly...part of the reason I don't want to work from an office....
Gawd, you Seattlites are such whiney nuttless wussys!!! CRY ME A RIVER!!!!
Aurora, I also see from your profile that you're a full-time mom and student. It doesn't seem fair or logical for someone that doesn't (I assume) work a job to support themselves to have such a strong opinion about this
You can't tell your boss to eff off dummy. That's the american dream, that's why everyone wants to win the lottery. Because they want to tell their boss to eff off but they can't because they need the money they make at their job to survive. Unless their family has money or they inherited money themselves. But again, personal rights can't be left up to the luck of the draw like that, of whether or not you were lucky enough to be born into money.
I could not be happier about this! Nearly every single job I've had I've been bullied at, but not by fellow employees, mainly by the bosses and supervisors. This is not overreaching at all. All it would do is force employers to set up a work environment where they make sure all employees know how important it is not to harass others. Because if they do their victims will actually have a legal leg to stand on. Just like with sexual harrassment. Perfect.
It's about time.
Lady Gaga should run with this cause
Just quit my job because of a micro managing bully. I couldn't jump through the hoops fast enough for the old bitty.
Yes, I haven't had a job since either. My former employer told personal health info to customers and made nasty comments about me to customers n would say mean nasty things to.me infront of customers
God yes. Hasn't everybody???
I was bullied and eventually lost my job because I learned my job fast and out produced my trainer. I think I was a threat to her..but I just wanted my job..not hers. Of course I was stil on porbation, so when she bad mouthed me...I was let go...first time I was ever "fired"...
One more step towards drone hood.
Right? I just don't see how an adult can even have a job, or hold down a job if they're not capable of sticking up for themselves. Now, a provision to make sure that if someone is terminated for sticking up for themselves, the employer is punished, etc, that makes sense. But I think that would be something along the lines of wrongful termination and people are already able to litigate that if they wish...
Yes! The ones bullying people are the ones that have a problem not me!
Yes.
Yes. If we raise children who don't bully we have adults who don't bully. All the road rage driving is a bully behavior. Every time you use power over other's without the right use of power you are a bully.
Exactly!
Same here...I have enough confidence in myself to know when to tell someone to eff off. Why take someone else's bad mood? I'm won't have it.
Has your daughter thought about pressing charges? I'm so sorry that she went through that.
Bullying: present participle of bul·ly Verb Use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. Adults may do it more than children. But because they are adults it's "okay" or "just their personality".... only... it's not.