“When I first started making THERE OUGHTA BE A LAW: NoJobIsIsWorthThis.com , experts, politicians and advocates kept warning me how hard it would be to make audiences understand that it’s not about bad bosses, long hours or even lousy managers who curse or scream to make a point. This is about those rogue bosses who have slithered their way through the cracks in the corporate ladder. The ones determined to target one employee after another and emotionally destroy them. Personally I hate the term ‘workplace bullying’ because it confuses people.  In the school yard we learned to stand up to a bully. But in the workplace, the bully isn’t looking for the weakest. They’re looking for the strongest and the same approach might cost you your job, benefits, savings, and your health.  More readily understandable terms seem to be psychological harassment or psychological violence.” – the filmmaker

>>This issue has been researched and studied for decades. Heinz Leymann (1932-1999) “was famous for his studies on mobbing among humans. He had a degree in Pedagogical Psychology and worked as a psychologist.” Some of these studies and articles are available on our “resouces” page.   It’s important to understand that currently proposed laws protect only those who have suffered severe “health-harming” abuse and malice.  <<

The Mobbing Encyclopaedia [link]

(© Heinz Leymann – file 11120e) I borrowed the word mobbing in the early eighties, when I found a similar kind of behavior at work places. I deliberately did not choose the English term “bullying”, used by English and Australian researchers (in the USA, the term “mobbing” is also used), as very much of this disastrous communication certainly does not have the characteristics of “bullying”, but quite often is carried out in a very sensitive manner, still having highly stigmatizing effects. The connotation of bullying is physical aggression and threat. In fact, bullying at school is strongly characterized by such physically aggressive acts. In contrast, physical violence is very seldom found in mobbing behavior at work. Rather, mobbing at work places is characterized by much more sophisticated behaviors such as, for example, socially isolating the victim. I suggest keeping the word bullying for activities between children and teenagers at school and reserving the word mobbing for adult behavior at workplaces. Other expressions found in the literature are harassment or psychological terror.

AUSTRALIA DEFINES WORKPLACE BULLYING & ENACTS LAW

Under the Work Safety Act 2008, employers must take all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate or minimise the harm from risks to the health and safety of their workers…[OHS]

“Bullying is repeated unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or a group of workers that creates a risk to the health and safety of those workers.  It can be perpetrated by an individual or a group.  As well as creating a risk to health and safety, bullying can impact an organisation through reduced productivity, staff turnover and legal costs.

‘Mobbing’ is a term sometimes used to describe bullying behaviour where the perpetrator is a group of people rather than an individual.

‘Unreasonable behaviour’ is behaviour that is offensive, humiliating, degrading or threatening.” [OHS 2010 Report]

WILL WE STILL HAVE FUN AT WORK?

Here’s what the FCC includes on their site to help their employees understand current harassment codes for protected class situations only: What is Not Harassment? The anti-discrimination statutes are not a general civility code. Thus, federal law does not prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not extremely serious. Rather, the conduct must be so objectively offensive as to alter the conditions of the individual’s employment. The conditions of employment are altered only if the harassment culminates in a tangible employment action or is sufficiently severe or pervasive to create a hostile work environment. >> Ok, when we think of the FCC we probably aren’t thinking “wow! what a fun place I wish I worked there.” But, you get the idea and these are the laws already in place for all of us.  Proposed laws basically extend this protection from psychological violence to ALL employees. If you enjoy targeting and destroying the lives of your co-workers you should find a new way to have fun at work.

IS MY BOSS A BULLY?

Critics argue that there is no single definition of workplace bullying and any attempt would be too subjective.  But, it’s important to remember that this same argument was used against laws currently in place to stop hostile work environments caused by racial discrimination, sexual harassment, and other protected classes.  And, if you’re still wondering if it can be legally defined remember that both the FBI and OSHA have classified this type of harassment as TYPE III, Workplace Violence. NY Assemblyman Mark Schroeder has reintroduced a study bill on this issue. “Everybody knows the difference between right and wrong,” explains Schroeder.  “Everybody knows how to be respectful.  If people cannot go to work because they’re sick to their stomach everyday and because they’re being taken advantage of or they’re being yelled at, these things are wrong and simply we’re asking the Department of Labor, in a comprehensive way, to help us.”

Forbes Magazine reported 10 signs you’re being bullied at work:

1. Work Means Misery If you often feel like throwing up or are particularly anxious the night before the start of your workweek, there’s a good chance you’re experiencing workplace bullying, experts say. While few people look forward to Mondays, they shouldn’t cause you to feel physically ill.

2. Constant Criticism If the criticism from your boss or co-worker never seems to stop, despite your history of objective competence and even excellence, a bully might be to blame. Workplace bullies also tend to have a different standard in mind for their targets, experts say.

3. Lots Of Yelling Overt workplace bullies tend to make their feelings known by yelling. If you are frequently screamed at, insulted or humiliated in front of others, you’re probably being bullied.

4. Remembering Your Mistakes If your boss or co-worker seems to keep a file of your mistakes and constantly refer to them for no constructive reason, you’re likely being bullied. Falsely accusing you of errors is another common tactic.

5. Gossip And Lies A covert office bully is more likely to spread destructive gossip and lies about you and your performance, rather than scream at you in front of your co-workers. Failing to stop the spread of a rumor can be an act of bullying, too.

6. You’re Not Invited To Lunch Or Meetings If you feel like you’re being singled out and/or isolated by your co-workers or boss, socially or physically, you are probably being bullied, experts say. That can mean having your desk moved or not being invited to meetings or even lunch.

7. You Always Need Mental Health Days If it seems like all of your paid time off is being used for mental health breaks to get away from the misery of your office, it could be because you’re being bullied. Other signs include spending your days off feeling lifeless or your family members showing frustration over your constant obsessing about work.

8. Sabotage A workplace bully may try to find ways to ensure that you fail at your job. Examples include changing rules on the fly that apply to your work or not performing tasks crucial to your success, such as signing off on details or taking calls.

9. Impossible Schedule A workplace bully won’t hesitate to change your schedule to make your life more difficult. If your boss always schedules last-minute late meetings on the days when he knows you’re taking night classes or you have to pick up the kids, for instance, he or she may be a bully.

10. Stolen Work You’ve been working day and night for weeks on a project that’s now getting good buzz at your office. If your boss or co-worker steals the credit, and has a habit of doing so, you’re being bullied.

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