SURVEY - UK Workplace bullying experienced by one in three young women

One in three young women are the victims of workplace bullying, alarming new figures have revealed

A poll of 685 young women found that 33% had been bullied in the past six months, and the most common culprit was an older woman in a more senior professional position.

Excessive work monitoring and criticism, isolation/exclusion/intimidation, unrealistic targets and public humiliation and insulting jokes were among the most common bullying behaviours experienced by those victimised.

The study, carried out by union Unison and Company magazine, showed the majority of bullied women suffered from anger, mental stress, depression, low confidence and insomnia.

More than half believe that bullying has become an acceptable part of workplace culture and more than half said their organisation does not address the bullying problem .

In addition, 40% think that bullies are tolerated in the credit crunch environment.

David Prentis, Unison's general secretary, said: "This shocking survey shows that bullying and harassment of young women in the workplace is spiralling out of control.

"Our research has shown that bullying is accepted in many organisations - we need to change this attitude now. The recession has surely added to this problem, and the cost to employers, to cover absence and replace trained staff, makes it clear that tackling bullying make economic sense."

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Northern Ireland - Call for new anti-bullying laws

Unison wants more effective anti-bully legislation

Bullies are making life a misery for a third of workers in Northern Ireland, a survey by the union Unison suggests.

A union spokesman said the survey figures had prompted them to launch a campaign to tackle the "lack of legislation" to deal with the problem.

He said 34% of workers were currently suffering in silence and 73% of these had been bullied before.

The union wants the government to revise current legislation to include an anti-bullying policy.

'Devastating'

Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said figures showed "that bullying and harassment of workers is spiralling out of control".

"Many people do not realise that a drip feed of bullying behaviour can be as devastating as a major incident," he said.

"Serious mental and physical illness is a common result for those being bullied and this can have a damaging effect on these workers for the rest of their lives."

Mr Prentis said the research showed that bullying was accepted in many organisations, "an attitude which needs to be changed now".

"The recession has surely added to this problem and the cost to employers, to cover absence and replace trained staff, makes it clear that tackling bullying makes economic sense," he said.

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BOOK REVIEW - Workplace Politics - Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving & Thriving With the Self-Absorbed

LISTEN TO INTERVIEW
Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving & Thriving With the Self-Absorbed Podcast Episode from Psychjourney Podcast
http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/disarming-the-narcissist-surviving-thriving-with-the-self-absorbed/8730699/

Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving & Thriving With the Self-Absorbed
Apr 24, 2008
Deborah Harper, President of Psychjourney, interviews Ms. Wendy Behary, LCSW, author of Disarming the Narcissist: Surviving & Thriving With the Self-Absorbed published by New Harbinger. Wendy Behary is the founder and director of The Cognitive Therapy Center of New Jersey and The New Jersey Institute for Schema Therapy. She has been treating clients and training professionals for more than 20 years. Wendy is also on the faculty of the Cognitive Therapy Center and Schema Therapy Institute of New York, where she has trained and worked with Dr. Jeffrey Young since 1989. She is a founding fellow of The Academy of Cognitive Therapy / Dr. Aaron T. Beck. Wendy has co-authored several chapters and articles on schema therapy and cognitive therapy. Wendy has a specialty in treating narcissists and the people who live with and deal with them. She has lectured both nationally and internationally to professional and general audiences on the subject of narcissism and how to deal with difficult people. Her work with industry has included speaking engagements focused on interpersonal conflict resolution. Her private practice is primarily devoted to treating narcissists, partners/people dealing with them, and couples experiencing relationship problems. She is also an expert in coaching individuals in interviewing, public speaking, and interpersonal skills enhancement. Her Center for Interpersonal Effectiveness is due to open in 2009. Visit her website
http://www.disarmingthenarcissist.com/


Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Everyone knows a narcissist, one of those vainglorious individuals in desperate need of constant affirmation and attention. Cognitive therapist Behary's book argues that by modifying your own behavior, you can manage your relationship with such a person. Separating narcissism into categories (spoiled, dependent, deprived and combinations thereof) and exploring the causes of the disorder, the author hopes to assist the reader in overcoming the emotional obstacles involved in interaction with a boss, spouse, friend or relative. Rather than focus on changing the narcissist (which may be impossible), this book aims to help the reader improve self-knowledge to see why the narcissist pushes his or her buttons and how to cope. Some of the instruments Behary provides—such as checklists, flash cards, journal writing— are useful for determining the type of narcissist you are dealing with and how your past experiences affect your responses. The author acknowledges that her book is no panacea, and she doesn't present the reader with strategies for when the narcissist isn't responsive to the actions she has suggested. Notwithstanding this caveat, Behary's book will surely provide help to many in need of a confidence bolster in the face of provocation.

Product Description
How can you handle the narcissistic people in your life? They're frustrating (and maybe even intimidating) to deal with. You might need to interact with some of them in social or professional settings, and you might even love one--so sometimes it just doesn't work to simply ignore them. You need to find a way of communicating effectively with narcissists, getting your point across and meeting your needs while side-stepping unproductive power struggles and senseless arguments. This book offers a host of effective strategies for dealing effectively with someone who is at the center of his or her own universe.
Disarming the Narcissist will show you how to move past the narcissist's defenses using compassionate, empathetic communication. You'll learn how narcissists view the world, how to navigate their coping styles, and why, oftentimes, it's sad and lonely being a narcissist. By learning to anticipate and avoid certain hot-button issues, you'll be able to relate to narcissists without triggering aggression. By validating some common narcissistic concerns, you'll find out how to be heard in conversation with a narcissist. Finally, you'll learn how to set limits with your narcissist and when it's time to draw the line on unacceptable behavior.

"Anyone whose life predicament includes dealing with a narcissist will be well-advised to read Wendy Behary's book and heed her advice. Disarming the Narcissist offers sound suggestions and keen insights--a breakthrough in one of psychology's toughest cases."

--Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence

"...a valuable contribution to the growing self-help literature on the fascinating subject of narcissism. Behary takes the reader step-by-step through a process of understanding our personal triggers to the wounding inherent in narcissistic relations and then lays out a pathway for personal empowerment and change."

--Sandy Hotchkiss, LCSW, author of Why Is It Always About You?

http://www.amazon.com/reader/1572245190?%5Fencoding=UTF8&ref%5F=sib%5Fdp%5Fpop%5Ftoc&page=8


READER REVIEWS

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Very worthwhile message for those willing to work hard...., March 2, 2008
By SmartCookie (Sonoma, CA)
One of the few books on the market that actually provides practical insight and techniques for handling encounters with an individual who is narcississtic. Most books focus almost entirely on how awful the narcississt can behave to the point of demonizing what is essentially a archaic defense mechanism learned in childhood. The author spends considerable time on what you, as the non-narcississt, get out of the relationship, how you pick up the other end of the rope, and the importance of understanding your own hot buttons (which Narcississt's are almost supernaturally good at triggering) rather than continuing the status quo by responding with your own defensive patterns that go nowhere but bad. This book is asking a lot of it's readers; that they understand the concept of schemas and that they grow up emotionally and approach their life, and the narcissist's they may love or encounter, from a place of strength, knowledge, maturity, and wisdom. If you want another book that outlines how horrible narcissists are and how you are their unwilling victim, you will not appreciate this book. If you are willing or interested to learn about yourself and looking at your own part of the dance, such that through your own growth and modeling the relationship, even with a narcississt, has a chance to improve, then this book is for you. Bravo.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly effective and beautifully written, April 9, 2008
By Dr. George Lockwood
I have over 25 years of full time practice as a therapist and have had extensive training in psychoanalysis, cognitive therapy and schema therapy (the approach upon which this book is based). This book does justice to the full depth and complexity of Narcissism. It does not offer simplistic advice or a quick solution that, like chewing gum, seems great at the start but quickly fades. With warmth, a delightful sense of humor and compassion, this author takes you by the hand and introduces you to the key strategies we have found effective in dealing with, and overcoming, narcissism. This book is clear, practical, and enjoyable to read. It will take time, effort and repeated study to fully grasp all that is offered but I can assure that your effort will be well rewarded since this author has obviously "done her homework" and truly knows. Upon first read, some of the strategies may seem difficult to execute. This is because they are built upon a blending and layering of skills and knowledge involving the heart and the mind. This is what it takes to be effective with narcissism. There is not a quick and easy way. I can assure you that if you are not just going through the motions, they work. Similar to learning to play a musical instrument or a new sport like golf or tennis, what can seem daunting at the start will eventually be in your grasp if you break it into the steps you need and gradually put it all together. Some of us will be a quick study and some of us will benefit from additional "coaching". The author provides useful links for the latter.

I, as a seasoned therapist, have learned a great deal from this book and find it making a significant difference in my work. I will be returning to it repeatedly myself.

69 of 78 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Fell short of what is promised, March 6, 2008
By Karen E. Fauls-traynor "karenft" (Chittenango, New York USA)
Overall, I found this book to be disappointing. It was helpful in terms of learning about narcissists and why they behave the way they do. The information about schemas and the reasons why we let narcissists push our buttons was also interesting. What I was looking for--as promised in the book--was strategies for dealing with people with this disorder, and I thought that those listed were very unrealistic. The examples of helpful dialogue that the author gives are just not practical. A narcissist would be have tuned out after the first sentence of most of those monologues. The tips for dealing with a narcissist coworker were few and far between. Basically, I was left with the impression that there is not much you can do about a narcissist in your life except change your own behavior or get them out of your life.

Racism, corruption, cover-up: NY workplace mobbed targeted individual fights for her life

Mobbed TI Robin Pugh-Perry fights for life

The once rising star in the world of government agencies, Robin Pugh-Perry is proving that she is a workplace mobbed, targeted individual (TI) due to racism, corruption and cover-ups.

Now fighting for her life, Pugh-Perry is again a rising star, now as a woman representing the plight of thousands of Americans struggling to survive extremist persecution including forced unemployment by covert, organized, mainly government agency or government funded agency workplace mobbers.

Workplace Mobbing is an extreme form of workplace bullying that devastates the lives of targets.

This covert workplace violence has increased since the signing of the Patriot Act that seemingly gave government agencies and select employees the right to persecute targets with immunity and impunity.

Research into the workplace mobbing phenomenon was pioneered as early as the 1980s by German-born Swedish scientist Heinz Leyman who borrowed the term from animal behavior due to it describing perfectly how a group can attack an individual based only on the negative covert communications from the group.

Ongoing retaliatory harassment including deprivati

Pugh Perry may have been at the Mercy of the Mob but now, this modern day “David” is up against the “Goliath” known as the City of New York Human Resources Administration (HRA) with a staff of over 16,000.

An employee of the government agency’s IT arm, Management Information Systems (MIS), Pugh-Perry is the survivor of a long-term and ongoing campaign of retaliatory harassment rooted in ongoing corruption, deep-seated racism where there is no viable mechanism for oversight she says.

Pugh-Perry’s explains that her plight began in 1994 and has everything to do with being a black woman and affiliated with the David Dinkins administration.

"HRA’s Management Information Systems is, and has always been a bastion of white privilege and entitlement in the historically and predominantly white and male computer industry," states Pugh-Perry.

In a series of firsts, 1990 brought New York City’s first black mayor, first black female commissioner of HRA, the first black head of MIS, and Pugh-Perry as first black female IT liaison to any commissioner.

A rising star up to that point, Pugh-Perry’s career was effectively over after Dinkins and his appointees stepped down in 1993.

Pugh-Perry was subsequently appointed to Director of MIS Inventory Systems.

After reporting massive problems with the inventory, in what has become an all too common response in such cases, MIS management stripped Pugh-Perry of her position.

After Pugh-Perry filed an internal EEO complaint, she was blackballed from employment while MIS management misrepresented the true status of the agency’s multimillion dollar inventory on each audit since 1996.

Suppression of agency damning evidence

Managers at the City of New York Human Resources have worked with political partners, including the EEOC and District Council 37, to suppress the damning evidence found in Pugh-Perry’s EEO complaints, including her 2006 EEOC complaint which was initiated in part because Pugh-Perry was brought under investigation for alleged acts of official misconduct.

She was subsequently denied a written explanation and final disposition of the charges against her.

The error laden right-to-sue letter Pugh-Perry received from the EEOC in 2007 upon the dismissal of her 2006 complaint led to the recent June 2009 dismissal of her EDNY court case.

Pugh-Perry has a case pending in the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals and awaits a response from her September 2009 letter to US Attorney General Eric Holder requesting: 1) a new right-to-sue letter based on the EEOC mishandling of her 2006 complaint, and 2) the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the many civil rights and civil liberties violations she has endured to date.

Pugh-Perry was dropped from payroll on April 2, 2009, the same day she was to have undergone reconstructive ankle surgery. She is now without income and prescription benefits.

DC 37, the administrator of her prescription benefits plan, refuses to file a grievance on her behalf, also typical in workplace mobbing cases.

Targeted individuals typically workplace mobbed out of career

Workplace mobbing is increasing across the globe, particularly in government departments or government funded agencies, (eg health,education and social welfare occupations), according to Dr. Linda Shallcross, director of Workplace Mobbing Australia.

Shallcross offers support for mobbing targets and provides an online survey to expedite help.
Unlike Australia and European countries, awareness is slowly growing in the U.S. and Canada about the darker side of work and the devastating effects mobbing and bullying have on self, health, organizations and society.

With new surveillance technology including government databases in the hands of mobbers, once a target is mobbed, typically this target is blackballed from all work in their field.

Since 2001, three conferences on workplace mobbing have been organized in California, Massachusetts and Iowa.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality established the first anti-mobbing policy in the U.S. Efforts to add new anti-mobbing legislation are under way in California, other states, and in Canada. Several new Internet self-help and advice groups and websites address specific professional groups or aspects of incivility at work.

Pro-action in the filed of workplace mobbing around the world includes a 2002 major international conference held in Australia. In January 2002, France enacted an anti-mobbing law. Quebec province in Canada adopted anti-harassment/mobbing legislation. Columbia enacted anti-harassment legislation in February 2006.

"In the aftermath of the Columbine and other school shooting tragedies, the media has increasingly discussed bullying in the schools, thus also raising awareness of adult bullying/mobbing in the workplace," states the mobbing research pioneer, Dr. Heinz Leymann, an industrial psychologist and medical scientist with an M.D. in psychiatry.

UK Anti-bully pioneers Andrea Adams and Tim Field used the expression workplace bullying instead of what Leymann called "mobbing" although workplace bullying nearly always involves mobbing in its other meaning of group bullying.

Who are most typical targets of workplace mobbing?

According to Shallcross, workplace mobbing targets are typically:

• Change agents
• High achievers (sometimes with public recognition)
• Enthusiastic (eg those who volunteer)
• Those with integrity  
• Whistleblowers
• Known for their commitment to human rights
  

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