Many workplace grievances submitted for investigation pertain to a belief that a person’s manager is bullying them and engaging in unreasonable behaviour. We all have different perceptions and therein often lies the problem. A person making a complaint can perceive a request or action to be unreasonable on the basis that they may; feel singled out, humiliated, dislike being questioned about their conduct or performance or view feedback as nit-picking.
On a recent trip to Bali, coming through the International Departure area I saw a sign ‘Difable & Special Needs Service’. It made me think how perfect the term is…difable…differently able. A much more positive reflection of people who experience what is generally termed disabilities. The Latin prefix ‘dis’ originates from the meaning ‘apart’, asunder’, away’, utterly’ or having a ‘negative or reversing force.’ Generally it means ‘lack of’
Bullying is the attempt to oppress, torment, domineer or coerce someone else. It can take many forms such as verbal threats, insults and cyberbullying. These behaviours have deeply harmful and sometimes deadly consequences. Sadly bullying is not something that all people grow out of once they reach adulthood, so keeping employees safe from this kind of unkind treatment at work is a current and serious concern. At just 14 years
