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« Do You Dress for Success at the Interview? | Main | A Career Q&A with Waiter Rant’s Waiter »

August 28, 2008

Tough Times Breed Workplace Bullies

The promise of a new school year is in the air, illustrated by fresh clothes, blank notebooks and new backpacks. Yet for some kids, this excitement is tempered by fear -- that pit-in-the-stomach feeling of being bullied, says a recent CNN article.

But nowadays, it’s not just kids who get pushed around -- it’s workers, too. That’s because tough economic times are helping to create more mean bosses, according to this MSNBC article. This boss bullying and nastiness has a cyclical, trickle-down effect that can hurt productivity and negatively impact an entire organization. Sandy Gluckman, author of Who’s in the Driver’s Seat: Using Spirit to Lead Successfully, explains it this way in the article: “When (bosses) are mean, their teams do not deliver great results, so they become more fearful. The more fearful they get, the more their ego takes control and the meaner they get. The meaner they get, the more the team shuts down and the less they are able to perform.”

So if a boss or peer is bullying you at work, what can you do? This MSNBC article offers seven tips. And check out this Monster article to help identify your bully as well as this article for tips on how to handle the situation. Finally, if you feel the need to vent and get more specific advice and support from the Monster community, visit our Workplace Bullying message board.

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Posted by Christine on August 28, 2008 at 10:58 AM in The Daily Grind | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

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I get the impression that most Career Counselors think employees want to stay and negotiate a happy relationship with workplace bullies. It doesn't work. We are much more interested in an exit strategy where we gain an advantage.
I left an idiot boss, only to be slandered when potential employers checked my references. Finally, an attorney referred me to www.badreferences.com. They busted my ex-boss and now I'm back in the game.
Bullies only understand a hammer to the head. Sorry, but that's the reality.

Posted by: Zachary Farina | Sep 2, 2008 12:39:34 PM

I've been dealing with workplace bullies my whole business life. (30 years) I'm one of the pro-active, professional, get things done kind of employee. I abhor paycheck collectors. Those paycheck collectors seem to be where the bullies reside.
I typically have been hired, not had to go through the probationary 3 months, do the job I was hired for and go the extra mile. Therein lies the problem, bullies and paycheck collectors are threatened by my work ethic and energy!
So, I am going back to school at 53 years young adding to my business experience a BA in Organizational Management.
I got tired of having to leave a good job because management wouldn't do anything about the bullies, not to mention that I had been hitting the concrete ceiling since the 1980's in corporate/manufacturing.
My wrap right now is come on Sarah Palin, let's clean up this country!

Posted by: Maureen | Sep 9, 2008 8:58:32 PM

Of interest to read: "All rise : somebodies, nobodies, and the politics of dignity" by Robert W Fuller. This is a sequel to "Somebodies and nobodies : overcoming the abuse of rank" by that author. While Fuller acknowledges that there is proper use of rank, he focuses on its abuse and how to combat it. A thorough uplifting read! Stephanie L. Gross, MLS NYC

Posted by: Stephanie Gross | Sep 11, 2008 2:45:34 PM

I agree with a 'hammer to the head' comment. Most often when you're bullied, even in a down slump job market, it's not reality to try and 'change' your boss.. Or anyone else for that matter. Some people just plain don't get it and will never be a team player.
My current boss (my last day is tomorrow) is truly an idiot. He's simply on a ego trip because he's one of the 'Partners'. He has NO skills, gifts or talents, and NO idea how to manage a business what-so-ever, and is only there because daddy (retired now) made him a Partner. Whom, I might add, continues to teach his son his bullying tricks, as well as enabling him to make him a non-productive, negative, lazy 'boss'!

Posted by: Sandy | Sep 11, 2008 6:56:16 PM

I understand this concept of bullying, because I encountered all of my professional career too. Most of the time I have opted to stay at home and take care of the kids due that it easy instead of working outside of my house. However, I took a chance of working on the outside, and again, I encoutered the same trials as before. I left a outstanding job due to a manager that was very insecure in her position and was told that her job was on the line. When she first met me I thought that we were going to hit it off, only to find that she didn't want me there at all. I wasn't for poor job performance. I met my goals, however, it was more of the comments that lead me to believe her motives. Comments like, " I see that you are very by the book". "I see that you are a professional, however, I am the boss and it is my job before your job". How do you get around people like this? I did go to HR and to no avail at this time, Nothing! I left my job in tears, heartbroken. I wanted justice! Not leaving!

Posted by: Darcel | Nov 14, 2008 6:19:50 AM

I think workplace bullying has been more common in the busines world than in some other professions, but I agree that it seems to crop up more during poor economic times.

Simtimes it is a matter of choosing an occupation that more service orientated than profit focused.

Healthcare, which has previously had a service motive, has had its own share of workplace bullying that seems to come from management, charge nurses, coworkers, and physicians.

The change in medicare and medicaid funding within recent years has had as affect upon how budgets are drived at and what comes out as important. Hiring practices seem to be focused upon new grads as opposed to experienced nurses getting offers of full-time employment, especially if that nurse is wanting to change specialties.

Posted by: Ann Lee | Apr 15, 2009 1:53:59 PM

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