Post on 06-May-2015
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WORKPLACE BULLYING
Presented by Group E: Charlotte Baker, Janice Battinelli,
Laycee Gaul, Crystal Haines, Carlyle Morel, Cladise Slaughter, Ashley
Teyechea, & David Woods Social Responsibility
SOCI 4080-10 Instructor: Professor Ginger Devine
KEY RESEARCH QUESTIONS
What is workplace bullying? How does workplace bullying occur? What motivates the bully? What types of people are at risk for becoming
targeted? What are its effects on victims, observers, &
businesses? What can be done about it? How can social change agents help combat the
problem?
What is Workplace Bullying?
Too complex to have a universal definition
Repeated stress inducing
actions toward another
Passive, active, overt, or covert actions that intimidate, degrade, humiliate, or undermine another
Creates feeling of defenselessness
Workplace Bullying Can Be Subtle or Obvious and
Include: Spreading malicious rumors, gossiping Undermining or intentionally impeding
another’s work Blame or unwarranted criticism
without factual justification Exclusion, social isolation Excessive monitoring, micromanaging,
unwarranted punishment Blocking training, leave or promotion
Workplace Bullying is NOT:
A strict supervisor Consequences for poor work
performance Warranted demotion, discipline,
counseling, or termination
How Does
Workplace
Bullying Happen?
Ignorance of the issue Bully supported through
action or inaction of management
Stressed employees taking frustrations out on others
No system of reporting or protection for victims
Lack of recognition and anti-bullying laws worldwide
How Do Targets Handle Bullying?
Targets accept the bullying behavior as part of employment
Victims fear retribution or losing position for making waves
75% of victims end bullying behavior only by leaving the company entirely
Bullies work to psychologically &
systematically wear the target
down to:
Ensure own job security
Further own career
Exert or gain a sense of power
Instill fear in the target or observers
Work Environments Can
Perpetuate Bullying
Motivations for Bullying
Personal prejudices harbored against others Prevent advancement opportunities for
target
Create a scapegoat for workplace stressors such as company downsizing, unreasonable work demands or work overload
Create social isolation for target
Bully-Target RelationshipsTop-down: managers and
supervisors who bully subordinates
Horizontal: peers who bully co-
workers in similar job positions
Bottom-up: workers who bully
supervisors or managers
Target Risk Factors Perceived as threat to job
security or advancement
Negative interpersonal relationships or role conflicts
High risk job sectors or level of employment
Viewed as weak or easy to victimize
Diversity Issues:
Race, culture, ethnicity, national origin, religion
Age, gender, personality traits, physical characteristics
Sexual orientation, gender identification
Statistics by GenderThe following chart denotes the percentages of: men bullying men women bullying women, men bullying women women bullying men
High Risk Race Statistics
Effects of Bullying on the Victim
Stress & job dissatisfaction
High absenteeism
Hyper-vigilance
Psychological and psychosocial distress
Job loss
3.6% 9.8%
14.6%
22.6%
49.4%
Under 1 month 1-3 Months 3-6 Months 6-12 Minths Over one year
Suicide: 50% of surveyed
individuals reported contemplating suicide; 20% later succeeded
Victims of bullying are three times more likely to
experience depression than the average
individual
The impact of bullying on victims has been found to
correlate with the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
and anxiety
Workplace Bullying has devastating
effects on the target!
Observers & The Bystander Effect
“Bystander effect" - the idea that observers stand by, unwilling to assist someone in need
of help
• 12% of observers report that they have witnessed bullying
• Bystanders fear that the workplace bully will turn on them
In order for bystanders to feel comfortable
enough to intervene, they need to know they can do something about it. Witnesses need to feel empowered and supported when they
report bullying behavior.
Bystander Effect & Mobbing
Fear of becoming targeted causes observers to join
forces with the bully, resulting in mobbing.
“Workplace mobbing” is an issue in which a group of people gang up on a
target without retribution for their
actions.
Impact on Businesses
Billions of dollars lost worldwide
each year due to:
High employee turnover
Decreased productivity
Low job satisfaction
High absenteeism
Use of work computers &
technology extends behavior into
cyberspace, sullying business reputation
Benefits of a Zero-Tolerance Policy
Improved staff satisfaction, retention
Enhanced reputation for the business
Creates a culture of professionals, role models
Improves work safety, quality
Greater staff willingness to report
Reduced liability, risk management
A more civil, productive, desirable workplace
% employeeturnover
% employeesreportingchronic stress
% employees seeking work
eleswhere
% employees who would
recommendas a good
placeto work
% employeesatisfaction
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
APA's 2010PHWA awardwinners
U.S.Average
19%Differenc
e
13%Differ-ence
8%Differ-ence
32%Differenc
e
11%Differenc
e
Psychologically healthy workplaces have lower turnover, less stress &
higher job satisfactionSources: American Psychological Association, U.S. Dept. of Labor
Bureau of labor statistics, 2009
Solutions to the Problem
Employees:
NEVER become a bully under any circumstances
Recognize when you are being bullied, realize it is not your fault
Alert management immediately
Ask witnesses to testify that they observed bullying
Solutions to the ProblemEmployers:
Provide conferences or workshops to educate and empower
Create & enforce a zero tolerance anti-bullying policy
Determine & enforce possible courses of action for bullying behaviors
Promote & endorse anti-bullying legislation
Enacting Anti-Bullying Policies
Employers must establish and enforce strict guidelines
Have employees submit a signed statement regarding commitment to abide by conduct rules
Encourage reporting
Have focus groups to “conduct surveys” to be analyzed regularly
Training & EducationThree levels of intervention for bullies,
victims, and observers:
Informal Intervention: conduct interviews to discuss events, listen to responses, get perspectives of all people involved
Awareness Intervention: Compilation and divulge complaints from data in a supportive manner to raise awareness
Authority Intervention: specify behaviors that need improvement, give timeline to improve behavior
Support Services
Employers can support victims, observers, and bullies by:
Offering healthcare support, evaluation, treatment plans & wellness programs
Providing training on professional behavior
Participating in the recovery of those who experienced or witnessed disruptive bullying behavior
YOU Can Help by Becoming an Agent of Social Change
Recognize and report Workplace bullying when it occurs
Help educate others and create awareness
Volunteer to help the State Coordinators enact the Healthy Workplace Bill
Become a citizen lobbyist or state coordinator
Assist employers in creating a anti-bullying policy
Endorse the Healthy Workplace Bill: http://www.healthyworkplacebill.org/
Expected OutcomesRecent recognition of the problem and
increasing awareness are improving the future outlook of this issue.
Companies worldwide are establishing annual training courses and codes of conduct regarding workplace bullying
A safe and comfortable work environment where all employees feel secure and able to be productive is the ultimate goal
5-10 years will likely not see the eradication of this issue, however, each individual commitment can contribute to overall social change
Victim Impact Statement
“As a victim who was fired for being a victim, I am absolutely incensed at the injustice and inhumanity of executives and managers who let this continue!
As a victim who has suffered many of the debilitating symptoms of bullying, I am sickened by the hypocrisy of company "codes of ethics and conduct".
Signed, a victim
Conclusion
Workplace bullying is a serious, yet preventable, problem that results in harmful
effects victims, witnesses and businesses alike
There are currently few laws against workplace bullying but companies and
individuals choosing to take a stand can have a huge impact and work toward its
elimination
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