Standing up for others is not optional
By Marguerite McKinnon.
Online bullying became a worldwide talking point in November 2008 when 49-year¬old Lori Drew was convicted of cyber-bullying her daughter’s classmate Megan Meier, who committed suicide. In the same year, the Telstra Foundation set aside $2 million for a three-year program aimed at reducing bullying and harassment of children via the internet and mobile phones.
But it’s not just children who suffer from bullying, and it’s not just online. A Griffith University study showed more than 90% of workers experienced some form of bullying during their careers. Ninety percent! The research found bullying incidents, on average, cost $20,000; that’s a collective national bully bill somewhere between $6-13 billior a year. Employers found guilty can face fines of up to $825,000 from WorkCover and can be forced into large payouts from thE Industrial Relations Commission
From a young age, I always wished that I would not follow the crowd that scuttles by and ignores a person in distress. I ofteJ catch myself whispering a silent word of thanks for my parents, and especially my dad, who is the bravest man I know. He is the only person I can put money on to step in to help someone in need, regardless of the criticism or consequences.
So when I got a letter from a friend seeking advice about a cleaner she knows who was being bullied, I had two choices: follow my genetic conditioning and act. or ignore it and override my sense of right and wrong.
It turns out the man in question had grounds to sue for assault. He had been physically pushed around by another department worker; sworn at and abused by a 20-something upstart who thought tough talk would get her ahead; given tasks not in his description; and the target of blame when others hadn’t done their jobs. Instances were caught on security camera and witnessed by various other workers over several months, which galvanised the case in his favour He was frightened to get help because he was on a temporary working visa and was sending money to his family overseas. He thought silence would be better than getting help.
This story had a happy ending. It started with three colleagues writing separately to the company manager and raising concerns on his behalf. The concerned staff then held individual meetings with the boss.
The boss made it his business to sort the mess out by speaking to the two bullies and issuing them with warnings. He then met with his manager and asked for regular updates.
The man who’d been bullied has blossomed in the knowledge that he was working with people who cared enough to step in when it mattered. For him, that was enough. The bullies have changed too, knowing they were against not just one, but many.
Perhaps tougher penalties for workplace bullying - a fine system with money going to charity or a shame file for the office piglet ¬might encourage are-think.
Article source: Nett Magazine. March 2009. Pg 18.
Marguerite McKinnon is a journalist for Channel Seven’s Today Tonight.