Bullies In The Workplace: Article Analysis

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Bullying is becoming more prevalent in the work place, this topic is discussed in Michele Paludi’s Bullies in the Workplace published 2015. A search on amazon shows many options related to this subject. Some books written by lawyers and doctors, known publishers and others self-published publish some. It shows however the importance of the topic of workplace bulling. Paludi and his colleagues write that many people mistakenly think that bulling stops after adolescence. However, it continues through adulthood. Bulling in the work place can have dire consequences. Mentally, a victim of bulling can experience depression, or apathy. Physically a victim may suffer from headaches and blood pressure issues. In extreme cases there have been individuals who have committed suicide after being bullied at work. Bulling can also cost the company money through absenteeism and the cost of retraining new staff after victims have left. Companies with a reputation for lax policies about bulling …show more content…
In America however, there are no such rules. It is pointed out that there are laws against sexual harassment and discriminations but that does not necacaraly protect from bulling. Additionally the victim needs to prove that the bulling causes their mental or physical distress. Weak leadership and unclear job expectations are some of the leading causes of bulling according to the book. Along with fixing those issues it is also suggested that company has a clear policy stating what constitutes bulling and the consequences of bulling. The employees should sign a document stating that they have read the policy and the policy should be posted for all to see. There are also samples of policies that an organization may use as a starting point. For organization with a union it discusses way a union can deal with bulling whether it is through mediation or contract negotiations over abusive