Bullying & Incivility: The New Epidemic in the Workplace

Disparaging remarks made at a conference table, sarcasm, a back-stabbing co-worker, nasty e-mail messages, physical assault, emotional and verbal abuse, intimidation and coercion, and sabotage against equipment, materials, or property—must we put up with the increased bullying atmosphere at work? While lawsuits and news reports spotlight egregious acts of violence and abuse in the workplace, it’s often the subtle things – the painful little incivilities among co-workers or between a supervisor and her/his staff that can take the biggest toll. Just as road rage afflicts the nation’s highways, rudeness and bullying are now taking their toll on the nation’s workplace. It is often hidden behind closed doors; and rude, impolite behavior is frequently shrugged off by managers. Bullying doesn’t just affect those involved directly, it negatively impacts witnesses and undermines an organization’s effectiveness. Research demonstrates that people cut back the amount of time they work and reduce their commitment to their job. What does this mean for Human Resources Professionals and managers?

Learning Objectives

• To define bullying in the workplace
• To state the impact of bullying on the employee, the bystanders, and the organization
• To discuss causes and contributing factors of bullying in the workplace
• To explore the legal consequences of bullying
• To list the steps to take if targeted by a bully
• To identify management’s role in the prevention and intervention of bullying

Who Will Benefit

• HR
• Management
• Any Employee