Learn More. Enact Legislation. Raise Awareness.
Bullying is a terrible pain-inflicting reality. Schoolyard and teen bullying are major concerns. Yet workplace bullying of adults, by their bosses or coworkers, is a form of violence that needs to be stopped also.
In 2017, according to Redbook magazine, 30 million American workers — 65% of them women — were targeted regularly with threats, humiliation or intimidation on the job. Yet “our culture often pardons, redeems, and even rewards bullying behavior as a means of getting results,” says Jessica Press, author of this eye-opening overview.
What can be done?
1. Learn more. Psychologists Ruth and Gary Namie founded the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI). It is the first and only U.S. organization dedicated to eliminating workplace bullying. “Work shouldn’t hurt!”
Another site, a legal blog: “When an abuser goes to work”: https://www.abusergoestowork.com/2017/12/30/solutions-exist-to-end-workplace-bullying-what-is-lacking-is-the-will-to-act/#more-13003
2. Help enact legislation. With law professor David Yamada, Gary Namie developed a campaign for anti-bullying legislation: the Healthy Workplace Bill (HB 2062). Take action!
3. Raise awareness. Share a brief video. Spread news to friends and family. Observe Freedom from Workplace Bullies Week Oct 13-19, 2019.
No one should suffer harassment at work or anywhere else. May God bless the peacemakers who seek to put an end to bullying!
— Lily R. Wu, LPF Issues Communicator, New York City