Several of my colleagues are heading to Albany, New York to advocate for the Healthy Workplace bill. They will be presenting the bill to Senators and Assemblymembers and asking them to support it. Though I will not be attending this round of lobbying, I have sent letters to 55 Senators and Assemblymembers asking for their support. Though we have a long ways to go, we cannot become frustrated or discouraged as too many people are relying on us to do what we can to get this bill past.
Passing this bill will help to create healthier and more productive workplaces. Eliminating bullying in the workplace will increase employee productivity and morale which will ultimately have a positive effect on organizations’ performance and ability to compete in this ever increasing global marketplace. Not only will productivity and morale increase, the healthcare costs associated with bullying in the workplace will decrease. Typically, individuals who are bullied in the workplace experience mental, physical and emotional ailments which prevent them from contributing to the organizational efforts. The absenteeism rate for bullied employees is high as they seek ways to avoid going to work so that they do not have to encounter their bullies.
According to research conducted by the Workplace Bullying Institute, the turnover costs for Fortune 500 companies is approximately $16 million and litigation due to bullying ranges from $225000 to $1.4 million. These figures undoubtedly will increase as organizations seek to adapt to the current instability and uncertainty of the economy. Further the cost related to prolonged stress according to the Workplace Bullying Institute founder Gary Namie is approximately $150,000 to $200,000 per employee. Here in lies the business case for passing the Healthy Workplace bill, as companies cannot afford to continue to waste money on an issue that could be addressed by the incorporation of anti-bullying policies. When individuals are no longer able to work, they inevitably turn to their state and federal government for assistance, which puts an additional strain on governmental agencies that are already operating at maximum capacity and are trying to meet the needs of constituents. Having workplace anti-bullying legislation would ensure that organizations take the steps needed to create healthier and respectful workplaces. Just as anti-discrimination legislation has had a positive effect on organizations; anti-bullying legislation would do the same and even more. All parties gain by the passage of the Healthy Workplace Bill.
For New York Residents, when contacting your Senator or Assemblymember please refer to Bill number S08793-2008 and A10291 that will sponsored by Senator Thomas P. Morahan and Assemblyman Steve Engelbricht. Thank you for doing your part to see that this bill gets passed.
Writing to your own legislators is the most important action you can take. Legislators value their own constituents very highly and will always give you a moment of their time to pay attention to your concerns.
If you are not sure who you state senator or state assemblymember is, use these simple zip code searches to find out:
Senator Search: http://www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm
Assembly Search: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?zip=
Writing to the legislator that represents you is a power action for getting anti-bullying in the workplace legislation passed. Letter writing is the most effective way to have your legislator consider an issue that is important to you.
Thanks for your support.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Healthy Workplace Bill-S8793 and A2247
This past Monday I had the privilege of traveling to the State Capitol in New York to advocate for a new bill that would help to eliminate bullying in the workplace. I, along with several individuals representing the New York Healthy Workplace Advocates, spent all day meeting with senators and assembly members regarding this bill. Many of the advocates also spent Tuesday and Wednesday advocating for the Healthy Workplace bill. We presented our case for why this bill is important and asked these individuals to support this bill. We were encouraged as many of the senators and assembly members recognized the need for such a bill and said that they would support it. Of course, we have a lot of work to do and will be traveling to Albany in February to present our case again. As I went from office to office presenting our case, I was reminded of what can happen when a few people have a common vision and begin to work towards making that vision a reality. If it were not for a few individuals years ago, we would not have anti-discrimination laws and other laws which protect employees.
I truly see the movement towards creating a healthier workplace, as a civil and human rights movement for employees. It is a logical progression of the current New York State Human Rights Law. The time has come to make bullying in the workplace illegal. A state law needs to be passed to protect employees and to save lives. As it stands today, individuals are literally being harmed or are dying as a result of workplace bullying.
Currently in New York State, an employee who is being bullied does not have any recourse because there isn't a law specifically related to bullying in the workplace. If after an employee has exhausted all avenues within his/her organization and decides to go the legal route, he/she will have difficulty convincing a judge to decide in his/her favor even when substantial evidence is presented. The reason being that the judge does not have a legal basis from which to render a decision in favor of the bullied person. If the bullied employee can prove that he/she has been discriminated against because of race, religion, gender and etc, then the judge would render a decision in his/her favor based on one of these issues, however, to solely present a case on bullying would not be sufficient. Based on the evidence provided, the judge may acknowledge that the person had been mistreated, however, because his/her decision must be based on a law, the judge would have to dismiss the case. The reason being, there aren't any anti-bullying laws on the books. The bullied person is left feeling violated and helpless because there isn't a law to protect him/her, which only exacerbates his/her situation.This feeling of helplessness is often what causes some employees to commit suicide. The Healthy Workplace bill would prevent this situation from occurring as bullied employees would have a legal platform to stand on when presenting their bullying cases. Their cases would not be dismissed because of a lack of legal justification.
I encourage you to take the time to contact your state senators and assembly members about the Healthy Workplace bill and to garner their support. This bill will protect you and someone you know. Passing this bill could literally save lives and begin to restore hope for individuals who are currently being bullied or have been bullied in the workplace in New York state.
When contacting your New York State senators please refer to bill S8793 and S2715 which were introduced in 2007 and 2008. When contacting your New York State assembly members refer to bill A2247 for 2009. A10291 and A4921 were introduced in 2007 and 2008.
Together we can make a difference in our workplaces and save a few lives along the way. Please do your part to ensure that this bill is passed. Please send this information to your family, friends, neighbors and etc. Begin making a difference today.
Thanks.
I truly see the movement towards creating a healthier workplace, as a civil and human rights movement for employees. It is a logical progression of the current New York State Human Rights Law. The time has come to make bullying in the workplace illegal. A state law needs to be passed to protect employees and to save lives. As it stands today, individuals are literally being harmed or are dying as a result of workplace bullying.
Currently in New York State, an employee who is being bullied does not have any recourse because there isn't a law specifically related to bullying in the workplace. If after an employee has exhausted all avenues within his/her organization and decides to go the legal route, he/she will have difficulty convincing a judge to decide in his/her favor even when substantial evidence is presented. The reason being that the judge does not have a legal basis from which to render a decision in favor of the bullied person. If the bullied employee can prove that he/she has been discriminated against because of race, religion, gender and etc, then the judge would render a decision in his/her favor based on one of these issues, however, to solely present a case on bullying would not be sufficient. Based on the evidence provided, the judge may acknowledge that the person had been mistreated, however, because his/her decision must be based on a law, the judge would have to dismiss the case. The reason being, there aren't any anti-bullying laws on the books. The bullied person is left feeling violated and helpless because there isn't a law to protect him/her, which only exacerbates his/her situation.This feeling of helplessness is often what causes some employees to commit suicide. The Healthy Workplace bill would prevent this situation from occurring as bullied employees would have a legal platform to stand on when presenting their bullying cases. Their cases would not be dismissed because of a lack of legal justification.
I encourage you to take the time to contact your state senators and assembly members about the Healthy Workplace bill and to garner their support. This bill will protect you and someone you know. Passing this bill could literally save lives and begin to restore hope for individuals who are currently being bullied or have been bullied in the workplace in New York state.
When contacting your New York State senators please refer to bill S8793 and S2715 which were introduced in 2007 and 2008. When contacting your New York State assembly members refer to bill A2247 for 2009. A10291 and A4921 were introduced in 2007 and 2008.
Together we can make a difference in our workplaces and save a few lives along the way. Please do your part to ensure that this bill is passed. Please send this information to your family, friends, neighbors and etc. Begin making a difference today.
Thanks.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
A New Year With New Promises
2009 can be the year when significant progress is made regarding eliminating bullying in the workplace. I will be doing my part to convince lawmakers in Canada and the United States to pass laws to protect employees from workplace bullies. I truly believe that the incidences of workplace bullying will decrease when organizations and bullies are held liable for their actions. Just as there are sexual harassment and discrimination laws, there needs to be anti-bullying laws. I would encourage each of you to begin to contact your representatives about protecting employees by passing anti-bullying laws.
In recent months, the focus has been on bailing out troubled organizations, however, very little discussion has occurred regarding protecting employees. Now is the perfect time for this discussion to take place. I encourage you to begin discussing this matter with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and politicians. Together we can make a significant difference in the workplace. Together we can create healthier and more positive workplaces for all employees. Let's make workplace bullying illegal in 2009!!!!!
In recent months, the focus has been on bailing out troubled organizations, however, very little discussion has occurred regarding protecting employees. Now is the perfect time for this discussion to take place. I encourage you to begin discussing this matter with friends, family, neighbors, colleagues and politicians. Together we can make a significant difference in the workplace. Together we can create healthier and more positive workplaces for all employees. Let's make workplace bullying illegal in 2009!!!!!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Workplace Bullying & Suicide
Molly stood at the edge of the subway platform as a train roared down the tracks toward her, its headlights breaking through the darkness of the tunnel. As metal screeched against metal, a wild, almost uncontrollable impulse overtook her: to throw herself on the tracks and end the pain.
Like many others before her, Molly had reached a breaking point. It wasn’t financial crisis that drove her there, nor unrequited love, nor the death of a loved one, but a boss who tormented her each day at work, creating a work environment that by now had become unbearable.
Molly is one of countless employees who have considered or committed suicide because of emotional abuse in the workplace. Unable to see a way out, whether in the form of a different job or an end to the abuse in their current positions, such individuals will tell you that the abuse overshadows their entire lives.
A few years ago, I was on two call-in television shows which addressed the issues of workplace stress and workplace bullying. A few callers shared personal stories regarding their desire to commit suicide because they could no longer take the abusive attitudes and behaviours of bosses and co-workers.
The callers believed that the only way out of the situation was to commit suicide. My heart went out to these individuals, as I listened to their accounts of emotional abuse and their desire to end their lives because of the abuse.
Even as a speaker and author who has extensively researched employee abuse in the workplace, I was outraged. Emotional abuse receives less public attention than other occupational hazards, such as faulty equipment and exposure to toxic chemicals. But emotional abuse is no less dangerous, and unfortunately is rampant even in organizations that might appear progressive and employee-friendly from the outside.
Employee emotional abuse manifests itself as bullying, whether in the form of loud, emotionally-charged tirades in the presence of other employees, or words of contempt delivered quietly in private, so that no one but the victim hears.
Emotional abuse can be as subtle as a negative, discriminatory attitude or as dramatic as a series of workplace “incidents” culminating in outright assault. Sometimes emotional abuse involves behind-the-scenes power plays that ensure that targeted employees are barred from promotions, or even lose their jobs.
Many organizations ignore emotional abuse until tragedy strikes, whether in the form of an employee taking his or her own life, or that of co-workers.
During the aftermath of such an event, the organization may “crack down” on abuse, and some previously abusive individuals may be sobered enough by the tragedy to keep their negativity in check of their own accord. Too often, though, the wakeup call is temporary and individuals soon resort to their previous attitudes and behaviours.
My book, Hope For A Healthy Workplace, which is now available as an audio book, addresses the issues of emotional abuse in the workplace, and workplace bullying. It introduces the readers to a new leadership model, a model I created as a result of research I conducted. The book gives the reader a glimpse at how such behaviour creates an unhealthy workplace and demotivates employees. It also provides recommendations for employees, leaders and organizations on how to create healthier workplace interactions.
Like many others before her, Molly had reached a breaking point. It wasn’t financial crisis that drove her there, nor unrequited love, nor the death of a loved one, but a boss who tormented her each day at work, creating a work environment that by now had become unbearable.
Molly is one of countless employees who have considered or committed suicide because of emotional abuse in the workplace. Unable to see a way out, whether in the form of a different job or an end to the abuse in their current positions, such individuals will tell you that the abuse overshadows their entire lives.
A few years ago, I was on two call-in television shows which addressed the issues of workplace stress and workplace bullying. A few callers shared personal stories regarding their desire to commit suicide because they could no longer take the abusive attitudes and behaviours of bosses and co-workers.
The callers believed that the only way out of the situation was to commit suicide. My heart went out to these individuals, as I listened to their accounts of emotional abuse and their desire to end their lives because of the abuse.
Even as a speaker and author who has extensively researched employee abuse in the workplace, I was outraged. Emotional abuse receives less public attention than other occupational hazards, such as faulty equipment and exposure to toxic chemicals. But emotional abuse is no less dangerous, and unfortunately is rampant even in organizations that might appear progressive and employee-friendly from the outside.
Employee emotional abuse manifests itself as bullying, whether in the form of loud, emotionally-charged tirades in the presence of other employees, or words of contempt delivered quietly in private, so that no one but the victim hears.
Emotional abuse can be as subtle as a negative, discriminatory attitude or as dramatic as a series of workplace “incidents” culminating in outright assault. Sometimes emotional abuse involves behind-the-scenes power plays that ensure that targeted employees are barred from promotions, or even lose their jobs.
Many organizations ignore emotional abuse until tragedy strikes, whether in the form of an employee taking his or her own life, or that of co-workers.
During the aftermath of such an event, the organization may “crack down” on abuse, and some previously abusive individuals may be sobered enough by the tragedy to keep their negativity in check of their own accord. Too often, though, the wakeup call is temporary and individuals soon resort to their previous attitudes and behaviours.
My book, Hope For A Healthy Workplace, which is now available as an audio book, addresses the issues of emotional abuse in the workplace, and workplace bullying. It introduces the readers to a new leadership model, a model I created as a result of research I conducted. The book gives the reader a glimpse at how such behaviour creates an unhealthy workplace and demotivates employees. It also provides recommendations for employees, leaders and organizations on how to create healthier workplace interactions.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Increase in Bullying
Yet another week has gone by and I have been contacted by individuals who are being bullied in their workplaces. Some have been physically assaulted, while others have been verbally or emotionally assaulted. After hearing these stories and reflecting on my own past experiences of being bullied, I felt compelled to start writing my next book and to begin researching the issue in greater detail. My first book "Hope For A Healthy Workplace" touched upon this topic, however, my next one will be solely dedicated to addressing and eliminating bullying in the workplace. Bullying in the workplace is becoming more and more rampant and I believe that it is only going to get worse as organizations go through difficult times. Those individuals who are not well liked are, unfortunately, going to be on the receiving end of abusive behavior from others. Bullies need someone to blame and so they will go after people they perceive as being weak or unimportant. If you find yourself in this situation, I encourage you to stand up to the bullies. Let them know that you are not going to be pushed around. When you value and believe in yourself, you will muster up the strength and courage to say "No. I will NOT be bullied". It isn't until you begin to take control of your life and to stand up for yourself that you will begin the journey of eliminating the bullying that currently exists. Don't believe the lies, you are somebody. You do not have to take the bullying anymore. You are a valuable human being who is worthy of being treated with dignity.
Please click on the Workplace Interaction Survey link for the online survey. Please feel free to complete the survey, thank you.
Please click on the Workplace Interaction Survey link for the online survey. Please feel free to complete the survey, thank you.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The urgency of stopping workplace bullying.
I am very concerned about employees who are being bullied in the workplace, especially those individuals who are contemplating suicide. Just the other day I received an email from a gentleman who is battling depression and contemplating suicide because of how he is being treated at work. We all must come together to stop bullying in the workplace. It is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Looking for a job
I encourage individuals who may have been recently laid off or who have been told that they will be laid off to begin to discover their true purpose in life. As you begin to seek out another job, try to choose one that is in alignment with your personal values and what you are most passionate about. Too many employees have been stuck in dead end positions and have gotten used to going to a job and expecting little satisfaction. Your next job doesn't have to be that way. I encourage you to take the time to determine what your interests are and to pursue them. You will need to be creative as you go about your job search and may have to take a cut in pay, however, if you are involved in activities in which you are passionate about, you will find a way to adjust to the decrease in pay. Trust me. I know what it is like to lose a job and to be faced with uncertainty. Though today may look bleak, please know that tomorrow will be better. You will survive the turmoil you are going through. This is a time for you to truly learn how to believe in yourself and to cling to hope. I also encourage you to have a strong support system to rely on as you go through these difficult times. You will need to have someone in your life to carry the burden and to encourage you to persevere. Looking for a job can be a lonely and frustrating process. No matter how many rejection letters you receive, don't internalize the rejection, just recognize that it is part of the process. Remain focused on your goals and eventually you will land a job. Don't give up on the job search and definitely, don't give up on yourself. You can do it!!! You are going to be just fine. Blessings.
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