KMEG-TV (CBS)
Channel 14 News
Sioux City, Iowa
April 14, 2008
A workplace bullying expert returns to Sioux City to talk about what he calls a 'silent epidemic'. Sioux City teachers are trained to deal with bullies on the playground. But this time they're learning about the bullies among them. Dr. Gary Namie says its a new brand of harassment. "It's new in the recognition," he said. "It's new in the awareness and in knowing what to call it. Just as we didn't know what sexual harassment was before, now we have a name for it."
It's called workplace bullying and Dr. Namie says more than one-third of American workers have experienced it. "You know you're bullied when you throw up on Sunday nights when you have to start work Monday," he said.
The fear and intimidation then spreads through the entire office. "Most bullies create a fearful workplace. Everyone is walking around on pins and needles."
In schools, the effects of a workplace bully on a teacher can trickle down to the students.
"They're not going to be as productive," explains Allan Heisterkamp with Sioux City Schools. "They'll be a less quality teacher for the students."
The way staff deals with bullies also sets an example for how students should deal with theirs.
