Surviving the epidemic BULLYING

My Story

Excerpt – Full Throttle

Full Throttle

No one stopped to look at what was happening at home Teachers claimed I had a learning disability Family members claimed I was “not all there and socially

awkward” Parents didn’t care

Bullied Everywhere

Students Parents Foster Parents Neighborhood friends Teachers

FREAK

LOSER

BUSHO GOT NOTHING

USELESS WORTHLESS

DREAMER FAGGOT

WANNA BE POOR PER

My worth– Age 15

My Worth

D DAY

The Next hurdles

First job was no smooth ride – Again people didn’t get me Manager’s didn’t get me Young kitchen hands didn’t get me

Thankfully I eventually made great friends!

Progress

Turning Points My first team member award My first manager who believed in me My SECOND team conference My first go back in the classroom This was the start of my new life

What isn't bullying

Bullying isn't: single episodes of social rejection or dislike single episode acts of nastiness or spite random acts of aggression or intimidation mutual arguments, disagreements or fights. These actions can cause great distress. However, they're not examples of bullying unless someone is deliberately and repeatedly doing them to you.

Broadies Law

What to do

Have a bullying policy Take it seriously – NO grey areas, make it clear (Also what is not bullying) Make it safe for people to report (consider online or anonymous) Create a safe workplace, meetings, conferences etc Formalize performance discussions and 360 reviews. Make it easy to speak up Celebrate small wins people will come alive Work this into the culture not tack it on Don’t work for an organization who only pays lip service to this

Do it because it’s the right thing to

do