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Becky
Workplace bullies
by Becky - January 24, 2008 - 7:07 PM

eWhere was “Bully Police USA” when I needed them? My self-defense training growing up was limited to my father coaching me to “hit back” or crush hypothetical scenarios with some zinger (outside of the I=rubber; you=glue genus). Well, at the Bully Police USA headquarters, you can check if your state has anti-bullying laws (32 states do). Among those 32, the only state that received an “A++” was Delaware. If you were bullied in Delaware, you probably won’t be anymore…The site also claims that:

  • 90% of students felt being bullied caused social, emotional, or academic problems. (Studies show, both bullies & victims have problems later in life because of bullying.
  • 69% of students believe schools respond poorly to reports of bullying.
  • Three out of four students report that they have been bullied.
  • Each month over 250,000 students report being physically attacked.
  • The five worst states for bullying, according to surveys, are: (46) Connecticut, (47) Maine, (48) Washington, (49) Montana & (50) New Hampshire.

And then there’s the Workplace Bullying Institute, advocating ways to “help you get on track to end your misery.” The site includes a link to a “U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey,” whose results claim that “72% of bullies are bosses; 55% of those bullied are rank-and-file workers.” Well, since we’ve recently discussed tyrannical bosses, what do you think: are bosses more likely to be bullies? And if you’ve encountered workplace bullying, have you had underwhelming experiences seeking help from HR?

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Comments (10)

  1. Did you need the bully police? What happened??

    posted by Ransom on 1-24-2008 at 9:39 pm

  2. As a gay child, I was bullied quite a bit. As an adult, if anyone tries to bully me or anyone else around me, I become rather aggressive. I’ve sent quite a few bullies scurrying for cover. The funny thing is that bullies are generally quite cowardly once you confront them.

    posted by Antinous on 1-25-2008 at 1:25 am

  3. HR wasn’t any help especially since I wasn’t a full or part-time employee. Since the final act that convinced me to report the bully had no witnesses I was essentially black listed as a liar and told that the only jobs they could offer me involved working with said bully. In essence my former employer was legally protected by this technicality and legal action wasn’t feasible since damages couldn’t be profitable for an attorney to pursue my case.

    posted by TA on 1-25-2008 at 1:35 am

  4. I’ve always thought that bosses were the worst bullies.
    It seem that even a small amount of power can corrupt a person.

    posted by lizhot on 1-25-2008 at 9:04 am

  5. Honestly i have to support bullying in some way. I was bullied badly when i was a kid and although i had those “Columbine” like thoughts i decided instead to fight back and fight back hard. There is really something behind the old Nitzsche quote “That which does not kill you makes you stronger”. I would not be the person i am today if i ran or was helped my whole life.

    What happens when we stop childhood bullying, dismantle playgrounds (for child safety), keep our kids inside… all in the name of protecting the children? We are going to raise a generation of wimpy adults. Then bullies will truly rule the world.

    One thing is for sure, i’ll teach my son the same things my dad taught me, “If you are going to be in a fight hit first and hit hard” and “Stop crying you little pussy”, that second one was a joke.

    posted by Jared Probst on 1-25-2008 at 1:19 pm

  6. Was bullied through three miserable years of middle school. That was in the ’70s. I realize now that I was quite depressed during those years, however, it helped me develop a very thick skin and a smart mouth. I’m currently working with a group of middle school students in an after school program called the PeaceKeepers. They’re kids who have been bullied and are working on ways to stop it. I’ll be sad when my time with them is over. They’re awesome human beings.

    posted by Lisa on 1-25-2008 at 2:09 pm

  7. In the early ’80s, I worked for a large international insurance company. The head of the department (a VP) would loudly rant at telephone callers (business associates)from Japan and everywhere else. When called you into his office, he would slam the files down on the desk so they would skid into your lap. All the while ranting, of course. I lasted two years. He lasted several years longer.Wouldn’t happen today.

    posted by Catherine on 1-25-2008 at 3:24 pm

  8. Fortunately, I happen to be 6′3″ and weigh in at about 240. I’m also a pretty intelligent guy, so mental bullying doesn’t happen. However, I was severely bullied growing up until I “sprouted” my sophmore year in high school. I was beat up and tormented in gym class, after school and on the baseball field where I attempted to fit in. When I see a story about bullying it brings back so many memories.

    posted by Chris on 1-26-2008 at 8:44 am

  9. The Washington State Civil Service group “stopthebullies” has now made a website which is a good resource for employers and employees. you can email stopthebullies@comcast.net or stopthebullies@yahoo.com.

    posted by martha on 10-9-2008 at 8:18 pm

  10. Actually, the Washington groups against bullying have a website up just this month at http (colon) (slash) (slash)stopthebullies.home.comcast.net .
    Check this out.
    Laverne

    posted by laverne on 10-20-2008 at 12:14 am

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