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Good Morning America Takes On Workplace Bullying

A very legitimate issue which could become illegit

HR Specialist
DoD
Thu Mar 5, 2009 7:48 AM

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I'm of 2 minds on this issue.

1. We all know of instances of workplace bullying. It is cruel, unacceptable, and detrimental to the mission.

2. We all know how popular "victimhood" has become. We all know people who would perceive as blatant bullying any supervisor who might actually require an employee to work during his/her tour of duty.

As we have seen in other arenas, there is no perfect way to separate out the two categories. We will either error on the side of the bully, or error on the side of those who want to use various smoke screens to avoid doing their jobs. Unfortunately, we will not find any happy medium.

Re: A very legitimate issue which could become illegit

Frustrated Fed
United States Marshals Service
Thu Mar 5, 2009 10:31 AM
The problem with your analogy, those in HR do not even try to "investigate" the issues raised to determine who is in the right. I was federal employee with 29 years of outstanding service and worked diligently each and every day. I upset my boss by addressing a fraud issue in our office and my outstanding record went out the door. I was exposed to two years of bullying and false accusations until I had a breakdown and was advised by physicians to get out of that environment or face possible heart attack or stroke. I sought out medical help and tried to return to work. Was threatened again that if I returned, matters would be even worse. No one at the Headquarters level would even hear my appeals. I was "removed" from federal service with only 1 yr and 10 months to full retirement. I had to hire attorney to try and get my retirement early. This has not gone well and I stay frustrated. Have gone over 14 months now with no income. This is my reward for dedicated federal service

54 Million

Karl
Nervous Hospital
Thu Mar 5, 2009 7:58 AM

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Bully for you Steve. 54 million huh? Is that like Pelosi saying that we are losing 5 million jobs per week? let's do the gonculations. 300 mil population. Some of those are not of working age. Perhaps 80-90 mil? That leaves retirees. Another 40 mil? That leaves about 180 mil. Some of those are either unemployed or choose not to work. Another 80 mil? So that leaves about......wait a minute...scuze me while i whup this out....

| | | | | |
Civilian labor force ....| 154,650| 154,648| 154,620| 154,447| 153,716| (1)
Employment ............| 145,299| 144,046| 144,144| 143,338| 142,099| (1)
Unemployment ..........| 9,350| 10,602| 10,476| 11,108| 11,616| (1)
Not in labor force ......| 79,460| 80,177| 80,208| 80,588| 81,023| (1)

From time-to-time I am skeptical. This is why...

workplace bullying

manager
faa
Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:33 AM

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I've only been bullied once during my working years. It was my first engineering job, right out of college, but I remember it as if it happened yesterday. My boss, also an engineer, was on my case similar to what a pledge experiences during hazing (I had expereince with that in a fraternity, too, but there I expected it!). Anyway, after taking his abuse for several months, I had reached my limit. The last time he belittled me I asked him to come out into the stairwell with me. I flat-out told him that if he didn't get off my case and treat me professionally I was going to knock him out. I meant it, too! That was the last time he did anything mean to me, and as it turned out we got along pretty well after that. I know he was having personal problems at home and pressure from his own boss at work, but he respected me from that point on.

Bullying

Policy Advisor
U S Treasury
Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:40 AM

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I am a man with three female co-workers and a female supervisor. While all of us are located hundreds or thousands of miles apart, it is obvious from speaking with my coworkers that I am the target of bullying by my supervisor. I leave the office daily with stress-related migraines, I am questioned endlessly and berated constantly, micro-managed to a degree I would never consider subjecting anyone else to, while neither of my coworkers is subjected to anything like this treatment (we have discussed this numerous times). I have been in this position for many years and have always had exemplary evaluations, surprisingly I still receive them from this supervisor. Others throughout the Service are familiar with my supervisor, a woman who has been removed from previous management positions due to massive grievances and complaints having been filed against her, only to be moved to an extremely small group, none of whom have any recourse as we are all management level.

Re: Bullying

Fed
DoD
Thu Mar 5, 2009 10:16 AM
As a woman, what's happening may actually be age discrimination. Just based on what you've posted, that's what I surmise.

If you're at mgt level, I'm unsure what redress avenues are open to you. But I do know that, if "the (age) shoe fits," then that appeal avenue may be open to you.

And no, this is NOT "whining." Having gone through (and still subjected) to the same targeting for the same basis, and being the "relic of the office," then you do have a leg to stand on. I also believe we'll be seeing the same type of discrimination as the boomers age-out of the federal service.

JMO...

Re: Bullying

Agent
IRS
Thu Mar 5, 2009 12:38 PM
I too work for a female supervisor, who has had 3 EEO complaints and several grievances filed against her in 2 years of being the boss. She treats all of her employees with little respect, is judmental, demeaning and demanding. She was rated below average by her subordinates. What happens? She is promoted. Go figure. Now we have another female boss who is even worse. So much for surveys.

It blows my mind

Program and Mangement Assistant
DON
Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:43 AM

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It blows my mind that bullying goes on working for the Navy and management here says you have to stick up for yourself and not take any crap from anybody. HOWEVER, when the bully complains to the boss...you get reprimanded without anyone asking you what happened. I even have a creep that claims to be my supervisor and hassles me and has a lot of people convinced I'm his derelict employee. My real bosses don't bother to recitify this situtation because I'm not the main focus for their jobs; and for one of them I think it's retribution for getting him in trouble for how hostile he's been to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Re: It blows my mind

Specialist
DON
Thu Mar 5, 2009 10:35 AM
Not sure what you can do short of finding another job. Once you're on the "sh**" list, it is hard as hell to get off. A bully has two faces, one they show to their superiors/peers and one they show to the others. They build their rep up, while tearing yours down. But, you can't give them ammunition. Its hard, but you've got to try your best coupled with documenting everything. Don't allow your performance to suffer either.

Late 1990's, I worked under a supervisor from "HELL." She was an "EOB" Equal Opportunity Bully. I think it was a power thing with her. One day, I had enough and in a one-on-one meeting in her office, in my calmest voice, I simply told her "You are a mean, evil, and hateful woman and I feel sorry for you." Her mouth dropped open and she turned redder than red. Then, she said, "get out of my office, now!" Damn it felt good to get that off my chest. Surprisely, I didn't have anymore problems with her, but I found another job shortly thereafter.

Re: It blows my mind

Diversity Manager
DOL
Thu Mar 5, 2009 5:25 PM
Yea grow up, the whole world is wrong and your right!!!

Workplace Bullying

Analyst
US Army Corps of Engineers
Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:49 AM

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I experienced workplace bullying by a senior manager which eventually drove me from a job I loved. He did not like the fact that I made him to comply with Federal Regulations in handling an employee grievance. I was supported by the Commander on the issue too. I also understood that the best policy is to confront the Bully and bullying because, most of the time when the issue is given a voice, it will disappear (for a short time it did for me)

Unfortunately, my Commander transferred (as they do). A new Commander arrived completely disinclined to do what he was sent here to do (Command). Instead, he left the place in the hands of Bullyman to run the place "his way." Unfortunately, he also made sure I got "Paid Back" for not kowtowing and for doing the right thing by everyone's standards (but his).

Fortunately, Bullyman is LONG gone and am in a different job where I am not bullied. It is, however, an example of doing the right thing and still having a poor longterm outcome.

I, too, was subjected to bullying

Retired
DCAA (DoD)
Thu Mar 5, 2009 9:51 AM

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I was subjected to bullying by several members of management. One lady in particular was promoted twice to the level of Deputy Regional director (Senior Executive Service position) and she was the worst bully of all. She rules by intimidation and fear and she has her list of who she picks on. For the six months I reported directly to her, my life was turned upside down and I gained over 60 pounds because of the depression she brought upon me.

Total Comments: 33
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