Friday, October 24, 2008

Office Bullies

There's a bully at Topiary headquarters. Cow is not the target though...an untrimmed shrub is. Cow wonders how much she should speak up about it. What does the Net have to say?

"Bullying is anger or fear displaced onto whoever is the target" says one.

"It's office politics and maneuvering and gamesmanship. Bullies are aggressive people who are very astute at reading the cues." "Workplace bullies share a common goal: to advance their position in the company at the expense of a co-worker, the target."

Workplace bullies want to drive out colleagues they view as threats: the technically competent, independent, those with good social skills and strong ethics."

"Traditional conflict resolution is based on rationality. Bullies are not rational. They will sit right in a meeting and lie."

"In fact, they will come to that meeting with their case made that they've been singled out, they've been picked on, they've been discriminated against."

"Bullies hate a fair fight. They tend to hassle specific people, usually when they are by themselves. There is often strength in numbers" says another.

"Is there any way to end the bullying? Nasty e-mails, abusive notes and conversations overheard by co-workers can all help to document the problems created by the bully. Don't get mad, get evidence."

Topiary wishes people were nicer and that management would pay attention to what is going on and that justice were swift and sure, the good guys would always win and that the world were a kinder, gentler place.

Moo!

12 Comments:

Blogger From the Doghouse said...

The only thing that's changed with the playground is now we get paid to be there.

8:08 AM  
Blogger The Topiary Cow said...

Ha! You are so right, Doghouse.

Cow has a feeling that the Doghouse is run well...

Moo!

8:51 AM  
Blogger Gorilla Bananas said...

Surround the fellow and pants him.

10:25 AM  
Blogger watercolordaisy said...

Perhaps befriend the one being bullied and help teach some techniques for being more assertive?

10:43 AM  
Blogger Ultra Toast Mosha God said...

Unfortunately, Toast has found that management don't pay much attention to anything unless someone grabs them by the ears and points them at the problem.

11:57 AM  
Blogger Kevin Musgrove said...

Sometimes you have to hang onto the absurdity of the bullying to survive its consequences.

At least in the playground you can give the bullies a wedgie.

12:17 PM  
Blogger The Topiary Cow said...

GB: Like it. (Gathering tough twigs and strong Topiary to surround the bully).

Watercolor: Not to worry. Topiary has befriended and supported. Just trying to help more without endangering her own standing in the office.

Ultra: Your point is well taken, and illustrated by the current US Banking leaders.

Kevin: You are right....about everything, including the absurdity.

Moo!

2:10 PM  
Blogger Supermom said...

Just loving these comments!

3:34 PM  
Blogger Sandi said...

Management is probably afraid of *liability* issues. They'd sooner fix a chair that hurts your back than say something to an employee who's out of line. Even (harassment?) lawsuits that have no merit take money to address.

5:39 PM  
Blogger linda said...

I would be talking to the bully (armed with all the appropriate tools of how to make a bully think it is their idea to change etc..)

I am so glad that I am the Queen Bee in my office and no longer have to stomach bullies EVER AGAIN.

11:08 PM  
Blogger Kevin Musgrove said...

Tagged you!

(apologies are in order: I actually tagged you yesterday but made a muck of sending the comment. mea culpa!)

12:15 PM  
Blogger The Topiary Cow said...

Supermom: Yes, agreed. Posters are great!

Sandi: Cow would like to share your view, but unfortunately feels management is just lazy and doesn't want to bother.

Linda: Cow would like to work in your office. She would be happy to be a worker bee for Your Queenship!
(Cow boarding first Topiary-enabled vessel for Australia)

Hey! They left without me!

Kevin: All right, Cow will look up this tagged issue and respond.

Moo!

7:57 AM  

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