It Happens Everywhere
The presence of bullying reflects the nature of humans as they interact at work. It is no disgrace that it occurs in your organization. It would be rare if it did not. What matters most is what owners, executives, and boards do when it is brought to their attention. They can elect to either sustain or stop it.
Solutions for BullyingDefinition of Workplace Bullying
Workplace Bullying is repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (the targets) by one or more perpetrators (the bullies) that takes one or more of the following forms:
- Verbal abuse;
- Offensive conduct/behaviors (including nonverbal) which are threatening, humiliating or intimidating; or
- Work interference, sabotage, which prevents work from getting done;
- or some combination of the three categories. It is not incivility or simple rudeness, nor the routine exercise of acceptable managerial prerogative. When abuse becomes routine, the work environment is toxic. Quality work and employee engagement are impossible.
WBI-Zogby U.S. Survey
According to the Workplace Bullying Institute national scientific survey (WBI-Zogby), 37% of the adult Americans (an est. 54 million workers) report have been bullied at work [13% currently, 24% historically]; an additional 12% witness it and vicariously are made miserable.
A problem of undeniable epidemic proportions. Simultaneously 45% report neither experiencing nor witnessing bullying. Hence, the problem remains largely an "undiscussable," silent epidemic.
Results of the WBI-Zogby PollDr. Gary Namie is the nation’s leading authority on workplace bullying and abuse. Fortunately, he also is a compelling speaker, one who can skillfully describe and analyze this destructive phenomenon and discuss possible responses before audiences of laypersons and employee relations professionals alike.
Branding Bullies Fails
Bullying is a workplace culture problem rather than just a problem of people with personality defects. Strategies that define individuals as the problem fail. Focusing on individuals is a waste of time and money because change attempts ignore the work environment. Genuine solutions require re-engineering workplace norms. It's not as hard as you think.
Expert SolutionsBullies Are Too Expensive To Keep
Employers are reluctant to confront hyperaggressive managers and staff. They fear lawsuits and difficulty replacing the jerks considered "indispensable." The truth is that it is costlier to fail to act than it is to pursue solutions. Bullies are undermining legitimate business processes and harming people without your awareness.
It's time to examine the real costs of unwanted turnover, absenteeism, lawsuit or complaint settlements, workers comp and disability claims. The bully is expensive. Current losses warrant greater weight than imagined future worst-case scenarios.
The Work Doctor Blueprint
Why Work Doctor?
Our evidence-based, comprehensive workplace intervention is based on over 25 years of experience and research. We bring an unrivaled expertise — multi-faceted profound knowledge — which we apply to problem solving in organizations.
History of Work DoctorLearn About Bullying
The first step is to determine if you have a problem. Nearly every workplace is prone to bullying. How can you tell that bullying happens in your organization? Six indicators revealed in 6 minutes. Play the audio.