KTIV News Channel 4, Sioux City, Iowa
October 8, 2007
Bullying doesn't just happen on the playground. It's alive and well in the workplace, too.
Doctors Gary and Ruth Namie are nationally known experts on workplace bullying and the authors of "The Bully at Work." Workplace bullying involves verbal abuse, threatening or humiliating behavior or work sabotage.
Doctor Namie says 39 percent of America's workers are bullied. The problem? He says it's a silent epidemic that won't change until employers recognize that it causes less productivity and absenteeism. And that affects their bottom line. "45% of people experience stress related health complications," said Dr. Gary Namie, Psychologist. "We know that runs the gamet from anxiety through depression... all the way up to P.T.S.D. For gosh sake, what are you getting post traumatic stress for for that lousy paycheck. So, therefore, it is extremely problematic."
Doctor Namie says if you think you're being bullied at work... take time off... check for a violation of policy... figure out how much your time off is costing the company... and report the incident to the owner or manager.
