Workplace Bullying A Real Problem
By Sherrill Gilbert
Vermont State Coordinator, Workplace Bullying Institute-Legislative Campaign
Vtbullybusters.org
Burlington Free Press , Vermont
November 12, 2008
What does a bully do? They verbally abuse, threaten, humiliate, intimidate, sabotage the target's work and/or reputation. Usually, the bully's initial attempts are subtle. In this phase, targets begin to feel something but are unable to name it. They feel emotionally vulnerable. They may have headaches and feel nervous or uncomfortable, but have not linked it to a hostile workplace. Eventually, they realize they are helpless and it is too late to do anything about it. Many targets are, shockingly, the ones who excel in their jobs, striking fear in the hearts of incompetent supervisors and management.
Workplace bullying is a nonphysical form of workplace violence. Workplace bullying is comparable to domestic violence and has the same emotional impact as rape. The key to stopping bullying is education. The ability to recognize the telltale signs prior to being sequestered behind closed doors can help targets take back their power. Targets who share with others their experiences send a message to all bullies: They are accountable.
Bullies are a phenomenon that has plagued mankind throughout history. The most recent Workplace Bullying Institute-Zogby Poll of 2007 is the largest study to date. Some 7,740 individuals from every sector in the country with a variety of different employment are included in this survey.
A few of the statistics from the WBI-Zogby Poll are as follows: An estimated 37 percent of U.S. workers have been bullied, or approximately 54 million Americans. Most bullies (72 percent) are bosses. Women are the targets 57 percent of the time, while women are the bully 40 percent of the time. Women will target other women 71 percent of the time and they will target men only 29 percent of the time. Men comprise 60 percent of all bullies, but they will target women 47 percent of the time and their male counterparts 53 percent of the time.
Not all bullies are bosses; peers comprise 18 percent of the bullies, bottom up 9 percent. Here are some more alarming figures employers should look at -- target quits. People who get targeted are employees who care and are loyal. Some of the reasons targets are targeted are they speak out about legitimate problems, they are too competent, too organized and accomplished at their job, and tend to make others who are not feel threatened, especially if a supervisor feels inadequate or her skills are less than the targets. Targets are fired 24 percent of the time; targets transfer 13 percent of the time; 23 percent of the time the target is punished.
It is estimated illegal harassment happens 20 percent of the time to the protected class. Legal bullying is done 80 percent of the time; it is four times more prevalent than that of illegal harassment.
Stress-related problems such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, cardiovascular diseases and neurological compromises resulting from prolonged exposure happens an estimated 45 percent of the time if the employee is being bullied for a year or more. Some employees experience bullying for a period of six to 12 months, while others may be bullied for less than six months and suffer the least impact from their mistreatment.
In the vast majority of cases, bullying only stops when the target loses the job, either by quitting, being forced out or transferring to stay employed. The bully rarely endures negative consequences with support from the top and many times can be the top that is doing the bullying.
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Sherrill Gilbert of Barre is the Vermont State Coordinator for the Healthy Workplace Bill and vtbullybusters.org.
