Civility

July 1, 2007

Violence Prevention

Aside from the legal consequences and financial impact, employers have a moral obligation to protect their employees. Treating people fairly, with dignity and respect is the core of violence prevention. A workplace violence policy is essential. Studies have yet to determine why employees act violently or what preventative measures will minimize risk. The most successful programs focus on improving employees’ personal growth and quality of life. It’s an holistic approach, designed to encourage employees to disclose personal problems that may include: domestic abuse, mental health issues, and antisocial or bullying behavior of coworkers. Employers may choose to create a team […]

June 1, 2007

Workplace Bullies

Employment attorneys warn that abusive bosses are encouraging legislation. Frequently the alleged perpetrators in discrimination cases are abusive bosses. Eleven states are considering making workplace bullying illegal. These legislative measures focus on bosses taunting and yelling at subordinates, opening the door for cases that do not involve protected classes. Bullying occurs at all levels including subordinates bullying their bosses. Why do people bully? The purpose of bullying is to gain control and power. A manager may be looking for a scapegoat or feel the need to keep a threatening subordinate in line. According to Harvey A. Hornstein, author of Brutal […]