The borderline between disrespect and workplace bullying or harassment is when negativity becomes habitual, concentrating on one person. Snide, snappy, dismissive? A manager whose snide comment dismisses that you were late because your child was sick and the babysitter cancelled, or the know-all in a group workshop who says your summarising is “too slow”: these […]
What makes some men, and even some women, start to abuse others when in power? Not all powerful people turn nasty or look for sexual opportunities at work, but we are seeing a wave of “victims coming out” and the repercussions for senior executives and boards having to respond with actions not turning a blind […]
Wounds from aggression and bullying can heal with time and absence from the source of the problem, but this won’t cause the issue to disappear of its own accord. Aggression in all its manifestations is exhausting. Some of you may feel “battle fatigue” and just want your lives back. Let’s try and understand what is going […]
We continually read about claims from victims of bullying in their workplace, or whistleblowers who report oppressive workplace cultures that condone bullying and discrimination. Bullying alive and unwell Not everyone is sure of what constitutes bullying, sometimes being too quick or slow to label behaviours that ultimately pose health and safety risks, costing companies millions every […]
If you care about doing your job well and (equally) the opinion of others, have you occasionally been up for the Office Doormat award? “No!” you think. “I’ve always stuck up for my rights, as well as my responsibilities.” But you could be unwittingly taking on more than you should. Indeed, doormats come in all shapes and […]
You feel sick, but you can’t take any more time off. Your neck hairs hackle while you stare fixedly at a really important email on your screen. You experience that “pretend-there-isn’t-but-there-is” frisson of tension when he or she enters the room. Maybe you have someone in your team you think of as Princess Pushy, or Mr […]
