Study: Office Bullies Create Workplace 'Warzone'

[fanciz]

An interesting article from Yahoo...

The office might be far from the playground, but it’s not off limits to bullies. From a screaming boss to snubbing colleagues, bullies can create a “war zone” in the workplace.

In a recent study, bullied employees likened their experiences to a battle, water torture, a nightmare or a noxious substance. Understanding the seriousness of workplace bullying and what it feels like to get bullied could help managers put the brakes on the behavior, shown to afflict 25 to 30 percent of employees sometime during their careers.


“Many Americans are familiar with sexual and racial harassment, but not generalized workplace bullying,” said study team member Sarah Tracy of Arizona State University. Bullying can lead to higher company costs including increased employee illness, use of sick days, and medical costs, ultimately affecting productivity, she added.

Workplace bullying can include “screaming, cursing, spreading vicious rumors, destroying the target’s property or work product, excessive criticism, and sometimes hitting, slapping, and shoving.” Subtle behaviors, such as silent treatment, disregard of requests and exclusion from meetings, count as bullying.


Bully icons


The scientists interviewed 17 women and 10 men ranging from 26 to 72 years old, who had experienced bullying. Often, people have trouble putting into words their emotions surrounding bully behavior. So the researchers analyzed the metaphors found throughout the participants’ descriptions of bullying.


More than any other metaphor, participants characterized bullying as a contest or battle, with a female religious educator saying, “I have been maimed. … I’ve been character assassinated.” Others expressed feeling “beaten, abused, ripped, broken, scared and eviscerated,” the researchers stated in the upcoming issue of the journal Management Communication Quarterly.


The bullies were described as two-faced actors, narcissistic dictators and devils, leading workers to feel like vulnerable children, slaves and prisoners in these situations. As one employee explained, "I feel like I have 'kick me' tattooed on my forehead."


Bully-proof office


How can you take the bite out of a bully-fied office? “An important first step of changing workplace bullying, is helping people to understand that it's more than just kid stuff,” Tracy told LiveScience.


Early intervention can nip bullying in the bud before it escalates into an established pattern, one resulting in high company costs. The problem is that most bully victims keep their mouths shut, whispering their horrid experiences to close friends rather than higher-ups. The use of metaphors, the researchers suggested, is more subtle and more likely to seep into conversations both public and private.


The scientists will continue examining the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying. In another research project, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Office Management, they found that out of more than 400 U.S. workers surveyed, 25 percent were bullied at work.

Have U been bullied on this forum?, don't keep quiet, fight back!
As far as I am concerned, anyone throwing insults or sarcasms at me will have ALL his posts on this forum, whether addressed to me or not, tagged as Bully! We may have difference of opinion about New Wave but those differences should lead to interesting debates and not racist declarations and personal slurs!

http://de.music.yahoo.com/launchcast/st ... 1249492395

[MARV]

[quote]Originally posted by fanciz
[br]Have U been bullied on this forum?, don't keep quiet, fight back!
As far as I am concerned, anyone throwing insults or sarcasms at me will have ALL his posts on this forum, whether addressed to me or not, tagged as Bully! We may have difference of opinion about New Wave but those differences should lead to interesting debates and not racist declarations and personal slurs![/quote]

I wonder, does dismissive and arrogant opinions presented as fact fall within your parameters of "bullying"? I hope not, because you'll be exposed as a hypocrite and someone who lives in a glass house yet throws stones of his own. You may not remember this thread from once upon a time when you and I exchanged words:

http://www.nwoutpost.com/forum/topic.as ... =new,order

I must admit, it was a fairly insignificant spat and I do empathize with your current status on the boards. But I must say also that you're sort of reaping what you yourself sowed over and over again. If I were you, I would just buck up and go with the flow because crying victim is hardly convincing. Or if it's that bad, you don't have to keep posting here anymore [|)]

<a href="http://marvymarv.multiply.com/">[i]You on the guestlist?[/i]</a>

[fanciz]

It's good that U have mentioned this thread, I invite U to read it again and U will find out that my argumentation was strictly confined to music appreciation. In my opinion, there are two different levels of judging music, one from a personal level, we may like a song based on very personal factors, for example the song was played in a club that we used to frequent or that song evokes fond memories etc Now, is that particular song the best of a band although we like it so much, I say no because there is a different level of judging a song based on objective factors having to do with creativity, originality, rhythm, beat, voice of the singer etc Therefore what did I say? I simply said that out of objectivity the best songs of Joy Division were Love Will Tear Us Apart and Transmission. Strangely those two songs came out first in Blir's survey.
I also said that the best songs of New Order were Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle, strangely again those two songs were voted best of N.O. So what, am I being arrogant in saying that? I don't think so, I was just trying to be as objective as I could to assist newbies navigating through the huge library of New Order.
To resume, when it comes to determining the best song of a group, we will draw different answers from a few respondents but the truth will come out with a larger group of respondents.

PS. Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself, I only hope that the mods would make it a point to keep the discussions civil and courteous as it should be.

http://de.music.yahoo.com/launchcast/st ... 1249492395

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by fanciz[/i]

PS. ...Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself,...
[/quote]

If this were true, I see no point to this thread, which is a "rally the troops" cry if I've ever seen one. If you [i]can[/i] take care of yourself, do that, and stop crying over the fact that not everybody bows down and worships the bullshit you spew here. I'll always call you on it: that's not bullying, that's difference of opinion. The attitudeyou get on this board from me will be exactly what you exhibit...you draw your own conclusions.

Good luck with your conscription...



<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/number6.gif">

I was smellin' alright, and lookin' alright.

[fanciz]

[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by fanciz[/i]

PS. ...Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself,...
[/quote]

If this were true, I see no point to this thread, which is a "rally the troops" cry if I've ever seen one. If you [i]can[/i] take care of yourself, do that, and stop crying over the fact that not everybody bows down and worships the bullshit you spew here. I'll always call you on it: that's not bullying, that's difference of opinion. The attitude to get on this board from me will be exactly what you exhibit...you draw your own conclusions.

Good luck with your conscription...

[/quote]

This post is from a BULLY!

http://de.music.yahoo.com/launchcast/st ... 1249492395

[eight6]

[quote][i]Originally posted by fanciz[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by eight6[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by fanciz[/i]

PS. ...Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself,...
[/quote]

If this were true, I see no point to this thread, which is a "rally the troops" cry if I've ever seen one. If you [i]can[/i] take care of yourself, do that, and stop crying over the fact that not everybody bows down and worships the bullshit you spew here. I'll always call you on it: that's not bullying, that's difference of opinion. The attitude you get on this board from me will be exactly what you exhibit...you draw your own conclusions.

Good luck with your conscription...

[/quote]

This post is from a BULLY!

http://de.music.yahoo.com/launchcast/st ... 1249492395
[/quote]
<font size=2>

LOL!!! Childish and immature, but I wasn't expecting more than that. I'll lessen the need for you to post here, have a look at my new sig.



<blink>*This post is from a BULLY!*</blink>

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/eight.gif"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/dbince/number6.gif">

I was smellin' alright, and lookin' alright.

[SomebodySomewhere]

Hey, cool, the silent treatment counts as bullying now? Great! I'm afraid I never developed a cartesian mind, so I didn't know that.

rancid has given us all something to think about, wouldn't you say? Cut the cackle 'cause we're getting to the facts now. Hey, hate6, keep a seat warm for me on board the bully train. Cause there ain't another place in town. I'm moving over, going down. Killing time, the morning drop. The final judgment stayed a day to try your way to make the aching stop.

[MARV]

[quote][i]Originally posted by fanciz[/i]
<br>It's good that U have mentioned this thread, I invite U to read it again and U will find out that my argumentation was strictly confined to music appreciation. In my opinion, there are two different levels of judging music, one from a personal level, we may like a song based on very personal factors, for example the song was played in a club that we used to frequent or that song evokes fond memories etc Now, is that particular song the best of a band although we like it so much, I say no because there is a different level of judging a song based on objective factors having to do with creativity, originality, rhythm, beat, voice of the singer etc Therefore what did I say? I simply said that out of objectivity the best songs of Joy Division were Love Will Tear Us Apart and Transmission. Strangely those two songs came out first in Blir's survey.
I also said that the best songs of New Order were Blue Monday and Bizarre Love Triangle, strangely again those two songs were voted best of N.O. So what, am I being arrogant in saying that? I don't think so, I was just trying to be as objective as I could to assist newbies navigating through the huge library of New Order.
To resume, when it comes to determining the best song of a group, we will draw different answers from a few respondents but the truth will come out with a larger group of respondents.[/quote]

...riiiiight...

[quote]PS. Thank you for your concern but I can take care of myself.....[/quote]

And a fine job you're doing of that. Good luck to ya buddy.

<a href="http://marvymarv.multiply.com/">[i]You on the guestlist?[/i]</a>

[i_like_lectric_motors]

LOL! What a bunch of whining tripe. You've outdone yourself this time, Francine. I hate to point out the obvious, but we're not at work here. That small distinction kinda makes your entire argument invalid. Unless you somehow assign equal value to a career and an internet message board, in which case you need far more help than any of us can give you. I suggest you hit the Psych 101 books again. If at first you don't succeed, cry, cry again.

I'll save you the trouble too, toolbag:

<blink>*This post is from a BULLY!*</blink>





-------
Results:
Too much damage done. Go away. [78%] 63 votes
Yah! Kimiiii is back! Hip hip hooray! [22%] 18 votes

[tiger_mn]

[quote][i]Originally posted by i_like_lectric_motors[/i]

I'll save you the trouble too, toolbag:

[/quote]

Finest Old School, Gentle Bullying I've seen in a while.

[ben_at_work]

"Lighten up Francis!!" - Sgt. Hulka, Stripes

[phillyidol]

Deoderant RULES! (for those that didn't know)

[hutter]

[quote][i]Originally posted by phillyidol[/i]
<br>Deoderant RULES! (for those that didn't know)
[/quote]We know how you love les french, cuz.

___________________________________________________________
"He who is a friend to everyone is a friend to no one." - Queen Kristina
http://nealsnow.multiply.com/
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[WolverineSyr]

[quote][i]Originally posted by hutter[/i]
We know how you love les french, cuz.

[/quote]

As much as he loves French Lesbians who happen to be cousins?

[phillyidol]

As long as they have no arm pit hair.....which kind of rules them out.