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“When A Bad Apple Sours the School”

Dr. Kathleen Sciarappa April 10, 2010 1

Workplace BullyingNAESP Houston

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Today’s Session: Adults, not students

Essential Questions

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• What is the prevalence of workplace bullying? • Who are the bullies and targets? • What is the impact on:

targets onlookers workplace supervisors bullies

• If it’s not illegal, what can be done?

Fact or Fantasy?Introductions

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To what degree has bullying impacted

your school’s culture?

Rating Scale0 (not at all)

10 (highest possible impact)

(low) 0...1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8...9…10 (high)

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Who, Does What, to Whom?Match % with “direction” of bullying

72% bottom up

10% boss-employee

18% peer-peer

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Who, Does What, to Whom?

72% Boss

18% Peers

10% Subordinate to superior

Are you a bully?

“Only the best are bullied.”7

Partner WorkSuperior, subordinate, colleague:

Discuss your situation

Finding the Words

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Workplace terrorHarassmentMobbingWorkplace mistreatmentEmotional abuseWorkplace aggressionIncivilityHostile behavior Workplace traumaHealthy workplace

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How Prevalent?In your corners, please!

What % of adults have been bullied at work or witnessed it?

A) 17% B) 92%

C) 49% D) 3%

Hard to Spot

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• The International Labor Organization• Spousal abuse• Sexual harassment

Challelle & DiMartina, 2006; Davenport, et al. 1999

Dr. Gary Namie Dr. Ruth Namie

The Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI) website

Workplace Bullying

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Looks like? Sound like?

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gossip /rumors isolating socially intimidating undermining threatening withholding information offensive jokes verbally/email intruding on privacy tampering with personal possessions belittling opinions ostracism

Davenport et al., 1999; Leymann, 1990; Namie & Namie, 2000; Williams, 2008

Who and Why?

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The grown up schoolyard bullies/mean girlsFamily of origin issuesPsychological issues

Bullying StylesModel for us!

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Targets and Mobbing

15Jackson et al. 2002; Hutchison et al, 2006

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“Healthy Workplace" David Yamada

There ought to be a law…

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European countries…yesCanada…yes

Australia…yesUnited States…no

3/22/10Illinois, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, Oklahoma, Kansas, Utah, Connecticut (plus 5 = 16 states)

March 18 Illinois Healthy Workplace Bill Passed the Senate (35/17)Sioux City Iowa: First school district

“Bullies thrive wherever authority is weak.”

Civil Rights of 1964

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gendersexual orientationracecolor nationalityancestryethnic originreligion physical disabilityhandicapping conditionsmedical conditions physical appearancemarital status veteran statuseducation

Lack of Response

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• Underreporting; • Unaware; • Without policies, regulations and laws;• Misapply conflict resolution strategies; • Employers themselves are bullied; • The bully appears to be a high performer; • Targets lack reporting strategies.

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Costs

• Health

• Psychological

• Economic

• Talent flight

7th International Workplace Bullying Conference

Montreal, Canada 2008; Cardiff, Wales 2010

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What Doesn’t Work?

Appeasing the bully

Blaming both parties

Labeling the target as a complainer

Listening to an orchestrated group

Ignoring

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What Works?Name the most effective strategies…

Discussions with colleagues

Addressing incidences

Sharing articles/information

Writing an opinion piece

Contacting your representatives

Creating or endorsing legislation/district policy

More What Works

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Name it and document it! Expose the bully (s) Check physical and mental health. Raise awareness of workplace bullying .

Respond to reports

Resource: The Eight Tactics for Explaining Workplace Abuse to Decision Makers (Tracy, Alberts, Rivera 2007)

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Partner WorkWhat can be done immediately?

What long term measures are needed?

Short term…Long term

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Our Plans

Now Long term

Enduring Understandings

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• Workplace bullying is common, destructive, and misunderstood.

• Bullying has negative consequences for all parties except the bully.

• The U.S. is not keeping pace with legal sanctions.• Workplace policies and legislation are needed.

Reflections

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Go Home and Take Action

Thanks for coming.

Enjoy the conference!

Kathleen

Evaluation!

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