BUS 600 Workplace Bullying Assignment week 5

Workplace Bullying, A Significant Problem

Christopher Shane Inlow

BUS 600

Dr. Raj Singh

March, 31 2014

Bullying is a concept we often associate with childhood dramatics on the playground. The concept of being bullied is hard to imagine in our adult lives. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is a problem that exists more frequently than can be imagined. Workplace bullying is defined as, “a pervasive practice by malicious individuals who seek power, control, domination, and subjugation” (Wiedmer, 2011). In the article, Workplace Bullying: Costly and Preventable, (Wiedmer, 2011) a description of the damage, signs, and preventative measures regarding workplace bullying were examined. Through reviewing Wiedmer’s article, examining bullying, and discovering preventative techniques a better understanding of workplace bullying can be obtained.

Wiedmer’s article, Workplace Bullying: Costly and Preventable, gave an in depth description of what workplace bullying is (2011). Wiedmer not only defined the problem with bullying; she demonstrated the prevalence of bullying, those who are likely to be victimized, methods used by workplace bullies, and also techniques that can be used to prevent this form of mistreatment. By breaking down Workplace Bullying: Costly and Preventable into four distinct categories Wiedmer’s work can be better understood.

Workplace bullying is not only detrimental to the employee who is being bullied, it can have a negative impact on the organization as a whole. Productivity is lowered, higher rates of turnover are prevalent, and increases in healthcare cost rise due to overly stressed employees. “Bullying hurts the bottom line through lost productivity, low morale, the departure of experienced workers, and higher health care costs for stressed-out victims” (Wiedmer, 2011, para 16). The negative impacts of workplace bullying resonate throughout the organization but very often the cause of these negative impacts goes unnoticed.

The frequency in which workplace bullying takes place is far greater than most would imagine.

A national study on workplace aggression prevalence in the U.S. workforce was

conducted from January 2002 to June 2003. The researchers used a survey to question 2,829 U.S. workers between the ages of 18 and 65 in a variety of industries. The results of the study showed that 41% of the U.S. workers had been exposed to psychological acts (verbal abuse) of aggression during a 12-month period ( Marcello, 2010, pg. 4).

Ultimately, the number of victims is probably much larger. Often those who are a victim of workplace bullying refuse to report the abuse from fear of repercussions.

Workplace bullying can present itself in a variety of ways. Bullying can be employer to employee, or employee upon employee. Those most frequently victimized by workplace bullying are usually valued upstanding employees that possess a high standard of ethics. “Based on findings from thousands of interviews in 2000, the WBI researchers confirmed workplace bullies typically target independent employees who refuse to be subservient. Ethics and honesty are attributes often commonly possessed by targets” (Wiedmer, 2011). This targeting is most likely a result of simple jealousy.  

There are various methods used by a workplace bully. Ultimately, any tactic or act used to harm or disrupt another employee is seen as bullying. In the article, Workplace Bullying: Costly and Preventable (Wiedmer, 2011) many examples of workplace bullying are given. These methods range from undermining the employees to actual firing or forcing the employee to leave. “Bullies engage in predictable and recurring practices to debase and debilitate their targets” (Wiedmer, 2011).

Workplace bullying is detrimental to both the employees and the organization. Fortunately, methods exist that can limit workplace mistreatment of employees. The majority of the responsibility relies heavily of upper management and supervisors. Systems must be in place to deal with workplace bullying. Initial guidelines that clearly define what constitutes bullying must be established. “An extremely important aspect of policy and procedure is to have clear, detailed, and accurate documentation” (Wiedmer, 2011). Most importantly, there must be someone employees can relay their concerns to. Accusations of workplace bullying must be taken very seriously and not dismissed lightly. “To reduce workplace bullying effectively, employees need to know that they are supported. The bottom line is that the employer’s return on investment is dependent on the work produced in the workplace” (Wiedmer, 2011).

Personally I have seen the effects of workplace bullying first hand. My brother has recently been a victim of this form of mistreatment. My Brother worked for a national power company for 30 years. He is a bright charismatic man who progressed quickly within his organization. Two months before my brother was eligible for retirement and after almost 30 years of service, my brother was terminated for not properly requesting a vacation day. However, he began having trouble with his immediate supervisor around two years ago. His supervisor was newly out of college with an engineering degree and had only been with the organization for two years. Having many years with the company and knowledge that can only be gained through experience; my brother was considered by many other employees as the person to go to for help.

My brother’s supervisor began undermining him and being very critical of everything my brother would do for the company. The supervisor also increased my brother’s work load while decreasing his authority. This supervisor would find every possible reason to either degrade or discipline my brother. The only disciplinary action my brother’s supervisor could find to take was writing a disciplinary report on him for not returning his phone call quickly enough. The supervisor gave my brother this disciplinary report one month before bonuses were issued. Due to receiving a disciplinary report my brother did not receive his bonus. As a result of this workplace bullying my brother now has to take high blood pressure medication and antidepressant medication. Feeling forced to get out of his current situation, my brother began to inquire about taking his early retirement. One month after his inquiry and two months before he would receive his retirement my brother was terminated from his position. My brother, without question, was an unfortunate victim of workplace bullying.

Bullying is a concept we often associate with childhood dramatics on the playground. The concept of being bullied is hard to imagine in our adult lives. Unfortunately, workplace bullying is a problem that exists more frequently than can be imagined. Through reviewing Wiedmer’s article, discovering preventative techniques, and examining bullying a better understanding of workplace bullying has been explored.

References

Baack, D. (2012).  Management communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc

Marcello, C. V. (2010). A correlational analysis: Perceptions of workplace bullying and psychological empowerment among IT professionals. (Order No. 3411119, University of Phoenix). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, , 222-n/a. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/520405286?accountid=32521. (520405286).

Wiedmer, T. L. (2011). Workplace bullying: Costly and preventable. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 77(2), 35-41. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/849232117?accountid=32521