Bullying in the Workplace
Presented by Sarah Laslett, Director, Washington State Labor Education and Research Center, South Seattle Community College Training Objectives
At the end of this workshop you will be able to:
Explain some facts about workplace bullying. Discuss different types of bullying behavior. List the effects on the worker who is bullied and co- workers. Describe the cost to the employer. Describe possible response options. Explore tools and other avenues to address bullying.
Claims filed for mental stress can only be allowed if the stress was caused by a single traumatic event Fighting on the job site over tools, job performance, or other work-related issues may be covered.
Personal fighting occurring on the job site can be considered for coverage, but only by the non- aggressor.
Leaving the job site to engage in personal fighting is not covered.
BULLIED…
Witnessed Bullying? What is “bullying” in a workplace context? • Harassment or intimidation consisting of persistent verbal, physical or other acts of abuse against an employee that …
• A reasonable person would find threatening or humiliating, and that …
• Undermine the targeted person’s work performance.
Some workplaces have a “culture of bullying.”
• “That’s just the way it is here.”
• Bullying is widespread
• Bullying is not dealt with effectively by management
• Workers do not support each other when bullying occurs - mobbing is commonplace
True or False?
Bullying is brought on by the indivual?
9 Key Features
• Intentionality and frequency • Manipulation & Pretense (lying) • Some power in the equation? • Behavior does not improve when it is called to their attention • Retaliation is common
Organizational Culture That Leads to Conflict
• Poor communication • Stressful environment • Unclear structure • Workload too high • “Top-Down” mgmt. • Lack of training • Absent or weak mgmt. • Poor job design • Perceived or real favoritism • Role confusion • Lack of opportunities Also consider the nature of the work:
. Public . Challenging or stressful situations . Lack of job security . Lots of change . Lack of control over job . High turnover means lots of new people who don’t know what they’re doing Who can be a bully? ↓ ↓ Supervisors Co-Workers Managers Peers Owners Seniority BULLIES:
• Deny opportunities • Take credit for the • Misuse authority work of others • • Use vindictive Target people behavior • Intimidate people • Are cruel • Manipulate people • Humiliate people • Give impossible tasks Re-cap: What Is Workplace Bullying?
Workplace bullying includes: √ physical intimidation, coercion or assault √ verbal harassment √ behavior directed repetitively to a target √ possible imbalance of social power and/or physical power.
Bullying is a pattern of behavior, not a single incident.
15 Forceful management style High expectations ‘Rough’ Social manners
Bullying is… Psychological Violence
BULLIED…
Witnessed Bullying? Is workplace bullying illegal?
• Only if it is related to the protected group status of the targeted individual.
• In other words, bullying that is “status blind” is legal (currently).
Examples of “Lateral Hostility”
• Infighting • Non-verbal innuendo • Scapegoating • Verbal affront • Backstabbing • Undermining activities • Failure to respect • Withholding information privacy • Sabotage • Broken confidences
Effects of Bullying on the Individual Worker Effects on Targets of Bullying – Manifestations of Stress
Psychological Emotional • Panic attacks • Anxiety • Depression • Loss of concentration • Obsessive thinking • Paranoia • Post traumatic stress disorder • Anger • Burnout • Irritability • Substance abuse, overeating, • Decreased self esteem etc • Self-doubt • Nightmares and flashbacks • Lack of motivation
• Feelings of failure
Social Physical
• Strained relationships • Disrupted sleep
• Lack of emotional support • Body aches in muscles or joints
• Withdrawing • Decreased immune response • Cardiac arrhythmias • Taking it out on others • Increased risk of heart attacks • Silencing • Elevated Blood Pressure • Head Aches • Nausea • Skin Rashes
DECS Model of Communication
• your observation of the negative Describe behavior.
• your feelings & how the experience Express has affected you.
• the consequences of the bullying Communicate behavior.
State • your goal in an assertive manner, be clear & descriptive. Effects of Bullying on the Workplace Environment Effects on co-workers and workgroup
• Low morale • Stress • Fear that you’ll be next • Worker to worker conflict • Aggression either breeds more aggression or fear and withdrawal • Decreased productivity and/or increased pressure What Does Bullying Cost the Employer?
Reduced Efficiency
Absenteeism
Low Morale
Long-Term Health Problems
Training & Recruitment Costs - High Turnover – Shortage of Staff- Work Conditions
Increased Accidents and Mistakes Due to Stress
The Risk of Violence in the Workplace
Bullying and mobbing have become greater problems as jobs have become less secure and workplaces more competitive. Who Can Respond to Bullying?
• The Employer (it’s their job) • Individuals who are being bullied or observe it – risky! • Group of individuals – less risky – concerted activity is protected – work directly with the bully or pressure the boss to deal with it. • Union reps
Goal: An emotionally safe work environment - the right to come to work and be free of harassment, bullying and hostility.
It’s a problem for the union too…
Ties up steward’s and rep’s time Can be divisive - hard to organize around Hard to get a handle on what is really happening
Traditional tools don’t apply well to “worker on worker” bullying or conflict
Can be the biggest issue that a worker has in the workplace – the union can’t ignore it Why shouldn’t a union rep get involved? 1. Take it Seriously - 2. Keep Track Investigate
Is it a contract violation? Where disputes occur and where hostility is prevalent Policy violation? (mapping) look for pattern. Is it illegal?
Protected Class or Sexual harassment Is the bullying directed at ADA –FMLA issues union supporters? OSHA - general duty clause
4. Look for 3. Get Input
System and organizational issues- not just personality From workers through issues surveys (formal and informal).
Root Causes Interviews
OSHA GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE
Section 5a) Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees;
Tips for union action on bullying • Meet one-on-one at first, then call group meeting • Know what the employer has or has not done about the problem • Evaluate support for confronting the issue • Decide on plan, tactics • Make sure folks are on board with tactics • Be clear what the demands are, have realistic expectations, keep an open mind to possible solutions • Evaluate: victory?, fall-back, or next tactic Link Bullying to Larger, Wider Issues • Bad communication • Unclear structure • “Top-Down” management • Stressful environment • Workload too high • Promoting without training Collective Responses by Union Members • Group grievances • Delegations to managers at higher levels • Organized shows of support for the victim of bullying (isolate the bully) • Make professional conduct language a priority for negotiations Labor-Management Solutions
Develop a Labor/Management Committee
Workplace Training “Professional Standards”
Seek Existing Contract Language Provide Conflict Resolution Code of Conduct Research H&S Language - OSHA
• A reasonable workload & a fair pace of work • A clean, comfortable environment with ergonomically designed work areas, education on safety precautions/risks • Supportive policies for workers • Training in communication skills & problem-solving • Effective, formal ways to work with mgmt. & co-workers on problems • Maximum use of skills & training opportunities Resources • The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries houses SHARP – Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention. http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Research/Workplacebull ying/Default.asp • They provide on-line resources about workplace bullying including Publications such as Workplace Bullying and Disruptive Behavior: What Everyone Needs to Know • There are also posters that can be downloaded and printed • DOSH, the Division of Occupational Health and Safety within L&I provides free on-site consultations to help employers create safe and healthy workplaces;