Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Towards decent workplaces Is your bottom line being bullied?

Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) It is bullying when…. What is bullying? the offensive behaviour/attack(s) is: persistent, prolonged and happens over a period of time damaging and humiliating cruel, malicious, vindictive, unfair, overt or covert

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) likely to have an impact on victims’ physical and emotional health, well-being and career/social development Of interest in defining: “Mobbing” is collective bullying The perpetrator has the power to bully It is a human rights issue! DIGNITY AND RESPECT What is bullying?

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Confused with other forms of negative interaction Corporate culture influences its manifestation Shame and denial There are different reasons why bullying happens The problem with bullying…. Facts and Fiction

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Personality factors and its relevance Power shift Economic conditions Social status of the victims Corporate culture, policy & leadership Managerial factors Change Popular literature encourages bullying Multiple causes Causes

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Perpetrators select their victims Risk assessment Reasons differ Bullying is a predictable process Examples of how bullying happens Victim response and consequences Organisational response and consequences Multiple causes The Ugly Face of Bullying

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Research Online survey - 78% had been victimised at some stage during their careers ( ) Confirmed in the (ILO/WHO/ ICN/PSI) 2001/2002 survey 2001/2002 Survey: Verbal abuse: 52% Bullying/mobbing: 20,6% Racial harassment: 22,5% Sexual harassment: 4,6% (78% female respondents) At risk - minority groups in work-settings Research in South Africa indicates

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) What research tells us PTSD symptoms – impact even worse than physical violence. PTSD symptoms prevail 5 years after the incident. What employees want is VALIDATION. What research tells us Policies result in 75% reduction in the frequency of incidents. World-wide – bullying is worse in the public sector. Coping mechanisms: own support systems or “God/shebeen” alternative.

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Can you afford bullying? Business and Unions should work together: - trade unions must help members - business is losing money - it is costing billions UK Research - 25% of bullied targets leave - 20% of witnesses leave This costs money!!!!! The cost of bullying

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Calculating the Cost Quantify this: 20 people are working in a department. 3 are being bullied and 6 are witnesses. = 9 lose 4,5 hours per week. They earn an average salary of R per year and work on average 174 hours pm, 2088 per year. 20 x R = R2 million salary bill 9 = R ,5 x 52 = 234 x 9 / 2088 x 20 = 19,83% Loss = R on TIME ONLY. The cost of bullying

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) When they leave… Exit Cost Projections Example: Organisation with 1000 staff members 10% are bullied = 100 staff members 25% leave = 250 staff members Average replacement cost = R (UK £30k) Total cost = 250 x R = R (Victims) If 2 witnesses per person = 200 staff 20% leave = 40 staff x R = R2m (Witnesses) Add to this legal costs!! The cost of bullying

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Do something Ammunition Causes of bullying? 90+% agree the following: ‘Bullies can get away with it’ ‘Workers are too scared to report it” “It is useless to report it” i.e. Perceived acceptance within the organisation Doing nothing is not neutral! Taking action

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Prevention On what level do we deal with the problem? It is a core management issue! Management activities should be centred around a risk management strategy, i.e. identifying and assessing risks and associated losses, and developing strategies for action! Prevention

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Prevention continued action should form part of mainstream corporate strategy the management of internal conflict must be facilitated - clear, unambiguous communication at all levels strategies for prevention should form part of occupational health and safety strategy and facilitated by EAP professionals

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Prevention continued identify potential areas of conflict counsellors as part of overall management, not in place of a strategy review, monitor, adjust policies and programmes continuously Involve everybody Selection and screening Training in workplace bullying, interpersonal relationships

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Prevention continued STOP violence and bullying - make a statement Commit to transparency, policies, support and facilitate process. Solve problems fast Ensure that staffing levels are appropriate - overloading staff is CORPORATE AGGRESSION

Is your bottom line being bullied? Dr Susan M Steinman Tel. (011) Prevention continued Facilitate recording and reporting of all incidents - even if it is small Record details - consider relations, outcomes & if preventive measures had been introduced Protect nobody - justice must be seen to be done Not just on paper!