Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/confronting-workplace-bullying/5022822/
In networking with other directors of child care facilities in the healthcare industry, I learned that bullying behaviors among staff were not uncommon. I was troubled by this phenomenon of peer-on-peer workplace bullying, or what I learned was called ‘lateral violence.’ Recognizing the need to address this behavior, I presented a webinar to directors in my professional network on the manifestations of lateral violence, the reasons for and costs of lateral violence, and strategies for eliminating lateral violence and building a great place to work.
According to Pontus and Scherrer (2011),
“Workplace bullying is characterized by many incidents of unjustifiable actions of an individual or group toward a person or group over a long period. Bullying behaviors are persistent, offensive, abusive, threatening, and malicious in nature with the intent to do harm. The person who bullies may be in a position of power (actual or perceived).”
The many manifestations of lateral violence include:
- refusing to mentor and guide new staff in their practice.
- refusing to help others in need of assistance.
- intimidating with threats of disciplinary procedures.
- writing critical and abusive letters or notes.
- belittling gestures like rolling of eyes, folded arms, staring straight ahead or ‘through’ when communication is attempted, using hand gestures to ward off conversation.
- backstabbing, scapegoating, ...