KTIV-TV (NBC)
Channel 4 News
Sioux City, Iowa
April 14, 2008
Bullying isn't just a playground problem.
Teachers can also feel bullied at school by other teachers.
One Sioux City high school tried to bring about change to that Monday.
Adults bullying their co-workers is a bigger problem than you might think. In fact, according to research done by the Workplace Bullying Institute, it's most common among teachers and nurses.
"They're helpers, they're pro-socially-oriented," said Dr. Gary Namie, the founder of the Workplace Bulling Institute. "And they're really ripe to become targets."
Namie is widely regarded to be the leading expert on workplace bullying, and he spoke to teachers, staff, and administrators Monday at West High School about the issue.
"Bullying is a distraction," he said. "It takes teachers off of the mission, it dilutes the power of the district and the focus of the district."
"It isn't just about students," said Jim Vanderloo, West High's principal. "It's about adults, it's about the workplace. And we're not insinuating that West High has an issue, but we're firm believers to being proactive to reactive."
"I think we've all experienced some bullying," said Marcia Waitt, a psychology and sociology teacher. "And I think that when you have it brought out to light, it makes you think how other people are effected."
The breadth of workplace bullying is startling. According to a Zogby survey done last September, 37 percent of American workers, roughly 54 million people, have been bullied at work.
Dr. Namie said if you believe you're being bullied at work, the best thing to do is document it, build a case, and present your case to company leaders.
The Workplace Bullying Institute is currently lobbying for legislation in 13 states that would classify workplace bullying as harassment, punishable by law.
