It is important to clearly understand that 80% of the time, behavior that is considered bullying is NOT illegal. But even though legal action cannot be taken, bullying is a very serious issue and still requires action from employees who witness it or are victims.  If you are not clear where the line is between harassment and bullying, speaking up isn’t easy. Knowing where that line is begins by reviewing this handout. (more…)

Bullying is bad enough when it’s done by a peer, but what do you do if the bully is your superior? How do you tell the difference between a demanding boss and a bully, and when should you go to HR? Kathi Elster and Katherine Crowley, bestselling authors of Working With You is Killing Me, and Working For You Isn’t Working for Me, weigh in on these tough questions, in video blog format. (more…)

Workplace bullying is a growing international problem. It is more than a one-time incident. It is a pattern of behavior between a bully and another worker which can demoralize, isolate and trigger illness in the target of the bully. What is bullying? Who does it? Is it increasing? What can you do to protect yourself? And what can employers do to promote a safe environment for employees? This short article attempts to answer some of these key questions. (more…)