2008 Woodie Awards
Workplace Intimidation and Harassment
Mike Foster
Issue date: 5/22/06 Section: Opinion
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In 2004, I made the decision that I would leave the corporate world and change the direction of my work life. My intent since that time has been to try to make a difference in some way for others regarding bullying of employees. With workplace violence on the increase in the United States, I feel strongly that it is time for someone to do something. Alarmingly, workplace violence/homicide is now the 3rd leading cause of on the job fatalities, according to the United States Department of Labor report for 2004.
Over the last 18 months I have been committed to and completed the writing of a very practical and workable method to help people who are working within a bullying environment. My "how to book" is designed for anyone in the work world, with a focus on students about to secure their first career, giving them the necessary knowledge to function effectively. They will understand what to look for and what to look out for in a new company, what are performance appraisals, etc. The book will also benefit persons looking at changing careers. The book will give them the tools necessary to combat this situation.
The last number of years has seen quite a bit of attention being given to the bullying of children, something that was long over due. I had always thought that once in the work world this would cease, but in actuality it is probably just as bad or even worse. Of course most time while on the job it is not direct threats of physical violence which occur. Most often it is the subtle threats which occur but these subtleties remain just as oppressive. The bullying will take many forms including constant additions of new responsibilities and outright threats of termination. These are just a few of the behaviors either I or others have experienced.
After conducting just over one hundred interviews, a very concerning statistic came to the forefront. Out of those people interviewed, ninety one stated that they encounter some form of bullying, harassment or intimidation while on the job.
Over the last 18 months I have been committed to and completed the writing of a very practical and workable method to help people who are working within a bullying environment. My "how to book" is designed for anyone in the work world, with a focus on students about to secure their first career, giving them the necessary knowledge to function effectively. They will understand what to look for and what to look out for in a new company, what are performance appraisals, etc. The book will also benefit persons looking at changing careers. The book will give them the tools necessary to combat this situation.
The last number of years has seen quite a bit of attention being given to the bullying of children, something that was long over due. I had always thought that once in the work world this would cease, but in actuality it is probably just as bad or even worse. Of course most time while on the job it is not direct threats of physical violence which occur. Most often it is the subtle threats which occur but these subtleties remain just as oppressive. The bullying will take many forms including constant additions of new responsibilities and outright threats of termination. These are just a few of the behaviors either I or others have experienced.
After conducting just over one hundred interviews, a very concerning statistic came to the forefront. Out of those people interviewed, ninety one stated that they encounter some form of bullying, harassment or intimidation while on the job.
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