Workplace Bullying Is Not a “Silient” Epidemic Anymore!

Using the media to bring attention It’s not unusual for me to ...

“The Gatekeepers” & The Workplace Bullying Movement

I’ve been really excited to see HuffPo writer, Janice Harper, bring regular thought ...

Can You Survive The Office Witch Hunt?

I was fascinated by a recent series of articles in the Huffington ...

Are Women Bosses Really Meaner?

In recent years, the media love a woman-on-woman bullying story (Meece, 2009) ...

What does “Hot Coffee” and “Workplace Bullying” have in common?

This week, advocates in a dozen states are taking part in “OurBullyPulpit’s ...

Should Steve Jobs “management style” continue?

Here’s a dilemma for those of us concerned about workplace bullies: Steve ...

Documentary features NY fight for Workplace Bullying Law

Several major publications have recently posted articles on the topic…hopefully this means victims will start getting the attention they deserve and a better law.   As someone whose life was turned upside down by an abusive boss all I can say is — it’s about TIME.  I’ve been making documentaries for 20 years that have been [...]

A plea to fellow fighters of Workplace Bullying

This is where I believe we find ourselves now. We have become a “grassroots movement” that picks and chooses among “newcomers” to determine who will be allowed into an elite group.

Slater on out of here!

Today’s Washington Post summed up the Internet’s fascination with the Jet Blue flight attendant who grabbed a beer and slid the escape chute to…?  Well at the moment he’s reportedly facing possible jail time. 

RELEASED: 2009 Workplace Suicide Statistics

Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics (US DOL) released preliminary results from the “National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries In 2009.” While the homicide rates include incidents like the shooting in Fort Hood they also include other types of homicides at work.

WORKPLACE BULLYING: A 9/11 Story of Healing

In 2006 I proudly celebrated that I was finally over my 9/11 PTSD. That same year I accepted a position working for a woman who would make me understand what the term workplace bullying meant. Ironically, I actually started that position on 9/11/2006. Four years later, 9/11/10, I am finally celebrating my ability to – once again – land on my feet and recover from the horror of that experience. Hope and resilience are glorious things that I deeply cherish and hope to pass on to others. You may not always be able to see them…but they are glinting away somewhere at a cloudy distance…and they are definitely worth finding.

EEOC Takes Aim at Age Discrimination!

WASHINGTON— At a meeting held today, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission heard testimony that age discrimination is causing the nation’s older workers to have a difficult time maintaining and finding new employment, a problem exacerbated by the downturn in the economy. The number and percentage of age discrimination charges filed with the EEOC have grown, rising from 16,548 charges — 21.8 percent of all charges — filed in fiscal year 2006, to 22,778 —24.4 percent — in fiscal year 2009.

Are you a “bully boss”?

While researching my documentary on Workplace Bullying, I have often heard people say that it’s impossible to know whether or not a boss is actually a bully or just a tough manager.   The definition and list of examples is often so vague and all encompassing that it’s really not unusual for this to be followed by [...]

Tell Your Story!

Have you been bullied by an abusive boss or co-worker?  Post a comment below to join the discussion and share your voice and experiences.   (Note: Please do not use names, titles, or any other details that might be considered libelous as you are legally responsible for the information posted. Never take advice from a [...]

Unions join fight to stop bully bosses…

Have city workers in Norfolk, Virginia find a solution to clean up toxic workplaces.  Is this something you can replicate?  Maybe, with a little help from your union… [ABC WVEC.com David Ham full article and video]  NORFOLK  – A new workplace bullying policy is being developed for nearly 4,000 city employees. The new policy would include [...]

Was Anthony Weiner an Abusive Boss?

Prior to Weiner’s heartbreaking Press Conference, Emily Rooney went on WGBH and alleged that Weiner was an aggressive boss who verbally attacked her nephew and other members of his staff.  Watch what she has to say for yourself:

Workplace Bullying may be a thing of the past — for legislators only!

Ever since the landmark workplace bullying case was upheld by Indiana’s Supreme Court,  the Joint Commissions has required that Hospitals address civility issues as a requirement in their accreditation process.  Many states require lawyers adhere to civility codes for conduct in the courtroom.  Now, according to NewHampshireSentinel.com, Rep. Susan Emerson, R-Rindge, is proposing a bill to [...]

Workplace Bullying is not a “silent epidemic” anymore…

I began working on a documentary about workplace bullying in 2007. At that time it was next to impossible to “pitch” my project because no one had a clue what I was talking about.  Since then things have definitely changed.  A simple google search of “workplace bullying” will bring up tons of hits.  Add to [...]

Joint Commission, Nurses and Bullying

Yesterday I put out a request for input into the expansion and development for our website and what we should focus on and include.  A member of the nursing profession asked that we discuss nurses with seniority who bully younger nurses.  A few minutes later I came upon this article, DO NURSES STILL “EAT THEIR YOUNG, ”  written by Jennifer Olin, BSN, RN.  She argues that it’s no longer just newbies that are impacted and has gone so far as to encompass the entire hospital staff. [more]

Which Countries Are Most Interested In Workplace Bullying?

Which corner of the world googles the phrase “workplace bullying” the most?  Well Australia and Ireland seem pretty matched in the number 1 & 2 spots — which given the disparity of size of the two countries says something for the plight of the Irish worker.  New Zealand isn’t far behind.  And, the UK, Canada [...]

Using the Internet to Build an Anti-Workplace Bullying Movement

Excluded Voices Are Lost Opportunities To Prevent Workplace Bullying In my last post I raised the argument that, at least in the US, workplace bullying isn’t a silent epidemic anymore and has in fact become a “hot topic.”  That’s something to raise our hopes but it certainly doesn’t mean that toxic work environments are a [...]

A cautionary tale from Australia regarding workplace bullying…

Australia is seeing a huge spike in workplace bullying claims but the majority fall short of qualifying. Ian Forsyth of WorkSafe says this is due to “greater awareness about bullying and, in particular, to the case of 19-year-old waitress Brodie Panlock, who committed suicide in 2006 after being relentlessly bullied by four colleagues at a [...]

Employees who don’t report workplace abuse are more likely to resolve it…

Workplace Bullying And The Things We May Control When I was still being bullied at work I did speak up to management and the response was so frustrating that it wasn’t hard to conjure up fantasies of purposely making mistakes or other similar actions.  My older sister, who became my best mentor, counseled me repeatedly [...]

Workplace Bullying Happens in HR Too!

Video testimony of a woman who says she left her job in Human Resources because her boss bullied her and her health deteriorated. She now regrets that prior to her own experience an employee had come to her for help but she didn’t understand how devastating workplace bullying can be.

HR Response to Mental Health in the Workplace

Suzanne V. Benoit,  LCSW, SPHR often writes about toxic employees and workplace bullying.  She reveals a personal side in her recent post addressing Carol Kilner’s article Responding to Mental Illness in Your Workforce: Leading a Culture Change [PsychCentral].  I tweeted her right away for permission to repost: HR Response to Mental Health in the Workplace by Suzanne [...]

Nurses are talking about — Workplace Bullying!

We’re getting ready to build a specific resource here on this site for nurses that is just about workplace bullying.  This morning an article was published that reviews the new book, When Nurses Hurt Nurses: Recognizing and Overcoming The Cycles of Bullying.  Some of what the author, Cheryl Dellasega, PhD, CRNP, found is shocking for those [...]

New Initiative Stares Down Workplace Bullying

Our Bully Pulpit combines the power of original documentary film and the reach of multiple media platforms to spark a movement that exposes the devastating effects of workplace bullying. Accurate information, reliable sources, new voices and new ideas are all housed within the new interactive home at ourbullypulpit.com. Catherine Mattice, president of Civility Partners, LLC, a consulting [...]

Workplace Violence: The Bullying Factor

Although OSHA “encourages” States to enact guidelines to prevent violence in the  workplace “there are currently no specific standards for workplace violence.”  So far only 25 States have actually done this leaving half the country’s workers unprotected.   [Download New York's recent law here.]   One type of violence is what most of us know as [...]

UPDATE! “Tracey’s Law” Against Workplace Bullying Pt. 1 of 3

Q: It’s actually been several years (close to 4?) since I first came up to meet and film with you.  At that time you were moving South to try to find work. People who have seen TRACEY’S LAW have been deeply moved by your story and I was wondering if you could tell us what [...]

The Final Chapter: Tracey’s Law Against Workplace Bullying

Why Tracey’s Story Is So Important: To me, Tracey’s story shows how complicated the answer is to the first question that victims are always asked: “if you don’t like it there why don’t you just get another job?”  Personally, I began making films about workplace bullying because I was smack in the middle of my [...]

Tracey’s Law: “My Bullying Experience Was Psychological” (Pt 2)

“She had her agenda – to get rid of me” Q: Can you describe what form the bullying took where you worked? Tracey: My bullying experience was psychological. if you have seen the video, “Tracey’s Law,” you will see that I was an emotional wreck when I finally left my job of nearly 20 years after [...]

“Jodie’s Law” needs “Teeth” to fight workplace bullying

In 2010 I posted my short documentary “Jodie’s Law” about a young woman who her family alleges committed suicide due to workplace bullying.  This is an update from her Aunt: We have received tremendous response from your documentary both Nationally and around the world. We/My family always felt if sharing the heartbreak of our family would [...]

Our Top 2011 Posts on Workplace Bullying

This year our most popular posts continue to cover a wide range of topics and issues related to workplace bullying.  We  continue to focus on our mission to critique and offer new voices and alternatives to the current dialogue.   Two 2010 posts ( about Mediation & OSHA ) are still extremely popular.  Here’s a recap [...]

Bill 168: Workplace threats lead to dismissal for just cause

Ontario’s new workplace violence legislation applied to city employee’s threats against co-worker by Norm Keith (reprinted with permission) The first important decision arising from the Bill 168 amendments to Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) has determined verbal threats of workplace violence constitute violence under the new law, which came into force on June [...]

Bullying Turns Into Violent Teen Mob – WHERE’S THE OUTRAGE?

It takes a nation to create the type of systemic change needed to help kids and teens who are vulnerable and trying to navigate an increasingly violent world.

Top 10+ Personality Traits of Bully Bosses (and workers too?)

“It is estimated that half of all executive careers end in failure. “ The dark side” of a supervisor’s personality can impact their ability to manage.  The angel on their shoulder can make them a leader.  The devil can derail a business.  No one asks to be abused at work nor should it ever be excused.  And, [...]

Proposed Law Makes It Easier to Settle Discrimination Lawsuits

While no one wants to be forced into a costly court battle, too many have no choice and  passage of the bipartisan Civil Rights Tax Relief Act could make it easier for everyone involved in employment discrimination cases.  [companion version] …An employee who complains of employment discrimination often has to wait a few years before the case [...]

Dear Governor Corbett I am begging you to HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!

[UPDATE: The anonymous writer below will finally receive her unemployment benefits.] Dear Gov. Corbett, I am writing to you to share with you my story, a story that is probably not uncommon if you simply look for it, however it is clear that the lawmakers in this country have been ignoring stories such as mine [...]

Do Republican & Democratic Women See Sexual Harassment The Same?

This week the Pew Research Center released a survey showing that 4 in 10 Americans feel the sexual harassment claims against Herman Cain are true and that, on balance, media coverage has been fair.  It’s hard to imagine any issue in today’s hotly political climate that doesn’t change when looked at in terms of party.  So, not [...]

Paterno: The High Cost Of Looking The Other Way

I understand that I am in the minority of America when I profess my support for former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, and that I am in the minority of students here at the Pennsylvania State University when I say I support the riots that took place last night in State College… I know I [...]

Can you win a lawsuit if workplace bullying legislation passes?

Soon legislators in several states will be reintroducing “abusive work environment” legislation that has carried over for another year, many of them copied verbatim from the arguably business friendly Healthy Workplace Bill template (HWB).   For victims of bully bosses passage represents vindication and dreams of having their day in court.  But, just how realistic [...]

Dear Legislator: What You Should Know About Workplace Bullying

I found the article below while looking for information to post on our informational resource site about the Healthy Workplace Bill.  It’s an interesting look at ways to turn tools already in place into powerful protections for targets of workplace bullying: The Anti-Bullying Legislative Movement: Too Quick To Quash Common Law Remedies? Sarah Morris, Bench [...]