Workplace Bullying Law
I just read an article this morning that the New York state assembly is considering a law against workplace bullying. What makes me mad is that we need one!
In my years of work in human resources and consulting with management, it never fails to amaze me that workplace bullies get away with it. They are often people who have some special knowledge that the boss doesn’t think he can do without, so he doesn’t want to take any risk of losing him. Or, the bully has a protector in a power position. Therefore, there are no repercussions for the bad management. Instead, they lose good employees who refuse to put up with their shenanigans. Unfortunately, today many people are stuck because there aren’t many other job options for them to jump to.
The employers don’t want to have this law because they think it will keep them from holding employees accountable. However, I think there is a definite difference between being clear to employees about what standard of performance you want and bullying. There are, of course, employees who will abuse the system and put forth trivial suits that will cost money on both sides, but if you are doing your management right, this should be minimized.
Just as unions came about because people needed to be protected against bad management practices, now someone feels we need another law to protect people against bad management. It is just another example of lack of job ownership. Managers often talk about the need for employees to own their job and take initiative. I think it’s time that managers take ownership of their jobs and start training, coaching, and reinforcing good management skills. It is just dumb business to let good employees work under bullying bosses.
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1I truly loved this brilliant article. Please continue this awesome work. Regards, Duyq.
2Such a well written post.. Thnkx for sharing this post!
3Unfortunately I am in Oklahoma. I think the world needs more integrity today and addressing workplace bullying is just one of the undercurrents of the dishonesty that happens sometimes when people are working out of fear. Afraid to speak up for fear of repercussions.
4Vicki,
It is very, very rare that a person in HR acknowledges that they see and want to do something about workplace bullying. I applaud your efforts and hope you continue beating the drum to alert management to this issue and the costs involved with ignoring workplace bullying. If you are from New York and would like to come to our next lobby event in Janaury 2011, we would certainly welcome another HR person to speak on behalf of the employer on this issue.
Mike Schlicht
5State Coordinator (Upstate)
New York Healthy Workplace Advocates
Thanks. I just think if more managers were graded on their management skills we might have better managers.
6Can I just say what a relief to find someone who actually knows what theyre talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More people need to read this and understand this side of the story. I cant believe youre not more popular because you definitely have the gift.
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