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Workplace Bullying

 
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mark occomore



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:28 pm    Post subject: Workplace Bullying Reply with quote

We reveal how one in four people have suffered from workplace bullying - find out more here...

Bullying in the workplace is "rife", with one in four employees suffering stress because of the problem, according to a new report today.

Research by the Samaritans showed that four out of five workers had been bullied during their careers, leading many to dream about quitting their job to move abroad.

A survey of 2,600 adults in the UK and Republic of Ireland found that younger workers were most vulnerable to stress and felt unable to talk with their boss or even a colleague about bullying.
Advert: article continues below ∨



Managers, clients and customers were most likely to be named as bullies, the study found.

Joe Ferns, of the Samaritans, said: "Job-related stress has a serious and unrecognised impact on the health of the nation and the economy, affecting


"Positive workplaces are a big factor in keeping everyone emotionally healthy."

The Samaritans designated February 1 as Stress Down Day and urged workers to wear slippers to the office on that day as part of moves to reduce their stress levels.

Half of those questioned said they were worried about stress, a third felt employers turned a blind eye to the issue and over half had seen a colleague cry because of pressure.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "Workplace bullying can take many forms but it always causes stress and anxiety for victims.

"They can lose their self-confidence and in extreme cases can be driven to leave their job. If bullies are allowed to dominate a workplace, staff morale and productivity will suffer, so employers have a clear incentive to stop bullying."

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I think this is wrong, but even the boss can put you down and call you names and tell you what he thinks of the person..


Last edited by mark occomore on Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:16 am; edited 1 time in total
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John W



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK

PostPosted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:39 pm    Post subject: Re: Workplace Bullying Reply with quote

mark occomore wrote:

I think this is wrong, but even the boss can put you down and call you names and tell you what he thinks of the person..

Source GMTV


marc,

What is wrong? The comments made in the article?

And marc, please make it clear where your source quote ends, and your comments begin.

Finally, I've edited out the Islamic website link. Links to sites promoting terrorism, racism and other subjects listed in our rules are not permissible.

John
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iwarburton



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland

PostPosted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Workplace bullying isn't something that I experience now but both Mrs W and I have had problems with it in the past.

Perhaps the biggest single problem is when senior managers know it's going on but look the other way.

Ian.
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd suggest 90% of the so called bullying reports are complete tosh, particularly from young people.

I know I'll come across as a bias and uncaring "boss" but most of the young people I employ or have employed over the years cause stress to management if anything!

In fact, I'm sick and tired of companies getting stick for this kind of thing.
It always annoys me that after the interview, when everything about the job is explained at length and a contract is signed, the attitude creeps in that "I don't want to do this" or "I can't work afternoons any more"
or "can I cut my shifts down to two a week instead of five?"
Of course management will treat these workers with contempt and other workers will too as they have to cover or work harder because of a slacker.
That's when the bullying or stress claim will come up.

I presently employ an 18 year old who will not do the job as instructed. She throws what I assume is a typical teenage tantrum, hand on hip, tapping foot, tutting etc..
What pee's me off is that she's been sacked once after three warnings and taken back on again after a heart felt phonecall from her mum!

My boss would shout and rave till he was red in the face at his employees but still retained a loyal and respectful staff.
Personally, I think a bit of verbal and self defence is good for character building...
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Mark Mayhew



Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 2897

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SanteFan-Your comments are interesting-sorry to say I disagree with a lot of what you say.

One helpful comment though-re your 18 year employee. Can't you say that if you don't toe the line I will punish you by making you listen to Steve Wright for a whole week on Radio 2 between 2-5pm. Laughing

I'm sure she would quickly conform to your management style.
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iwarburton



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are always two sides of a coin but I don't agree that 90% of bullying complaints are frivolous. After many years of experience as a personnel officer, I'd say it's about 50-50. But am happy to say that I now work in a bully-free zone.

Ian.
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SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark, what do you disagree with?

I know I'm on dodgy ground here and I wouldn't argue with anybody too much, but it all comes down to what "Bullying" really is doesn't it?
If somebody is regularly physically threatened at work ( which is what I took the word to mean when I was young ) or, a continuous onslaught of verbal abuse is apparent, then of course it shouldn't be tolerated.

But for an employee to complain that he/she's been bullied by the manager by constant demands to get on with the job is not acceptable in my book. Some people expect the wages but don't want to do the work.

I employ a Liverpudlian, she really hates anybody imitating the Liverpool accent, taking it very personally ( chef saying "calm down, calm down" etc )
Is this genuine bullying? not in my book but I'd bet people asked in a survey would say it is.

I could give further examples but I guess I'd better not.

In my 12 years as an employer, I've found the do-gooders and employment law enforcers are firmly on the side of the employee, great for them but pretty bloody infuriating for the boss.
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pickle



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 252
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire

PostPosted: Thu Jan 24, 2008 2:57 pm    Post subject: Workplace bullying Reply with quote

I've been under a boss who was hardly ever in. She would nip off to the back room every 15 minutes to smoke a fag and leave me and other members of staff to deal with the public. The bosses we had before her were much better.

A woman we had inbetween times described me and other staff as 'the vols' (volunteers)during a phone conversation in my presence. She stated that paid staff were better.

In hindsight I should have asked 'So when are you paying me?'
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