Replies to 'Workplace Bullies'

Hi Sunshine!

I realize you wrote to me about a week ago but I haven't been on here for a while.   What I've learned is that bullies have no regard for whether or not you are a "nice person" or if you do your job well.  They have a need to put people down, probably due to their own lack of self-esteem and they pick someone who seems like they will take it.  I believe that is why quiet people are often targets.  The buliies think they won't fight back and it is safe to go after someone who won't go back after them. 

I was quiet as a child and of course experienced some bullying then.  But of course the worst situation I ever ran across with bullying was at that job I described in my previous post on here.  It was in a school so the bully was a principal. From what I've heard each year she would target someone and "go after" them.  Constant criticism, ignoring all the good things the person does on the job, actually making up lies and writing them into evaluations, talking in an insulting and condescending way to that employee.  I could go on and on, but all who are on this board can probably relate to this.  And others who see this going on will never back you up.  Why?? Because they are probably afraid of becoming the next target!  Smartest thing I ever did was to leave that job at the end of the year.  The job I got after that one was a much more pleasant place to work.  I was treated with lots of respect and was appreciated.  I eventually had to leave because of a long commute which made it hard to get home in time to be there for my kids.

I am leaving another job at the end of this school year.  While I am not being bullied in the classic sense, I do feel that the supervisor does play favorites and I am at the stage of life where I fortunately don't need this job, so I am less likely to tolerate any kind of nonsense.  So I made the decision to leave an atmosphere where there is a clear line betweeen who gets the goodies and who doesn't. I gave notice several weeks ago and have seen a big change in my boss's attitude since then.  She is bending over backwards to be accommodating to me, maybe in hopes that I will change my mind.  But I emphasized to her an a couple of occasions that my answer is final.  This was not a case of traditional bullying, but instead one of not appreciating a good worker until she is ready to walk out the door. Lesson to be learned:  Treat your workers equally!!

It is amamzing that in both the healthcare and education fields there is so much workplace bullying going on.  These are supposed to be fields where humans nurture others!  So sad.

I wish you good luck, sunshine!  Myabe you just have to show people you are not going to take any nonsense!!  Take care,

Julie