Sheila Freeman Consulting conducts awareness and education sessions on workplace bullying (with an emphasis on psychological bullying).
SEMINARS:
The following is a general outline only, as the content is tailored to the particular needs of the organization and the attendees.
Most seminars and workshops begin with a video presentation, after which the consultant:
- Defines bullying, outlines the differences between workplace violence and psychological bullying, and clarifies these differences by giving examples of both behaviours,
- Gives reasons why an anti-bullying policy is required for workers, emphasizing their entitlement to both a safe and healthy workplace and to respect from workers and management,
- Identifies the various types of bullying behaviour,
- Outlines the effects of bullying on victims,
- Provides case studies for discussion,
- Outlines statistics on bullying, both Australian and international,
- Summarises the effects of bullying on business, including financial cost,
- Explains the duty of care required by employers.
Handouts on aspects of bullying are supplied to all participants.
Participants complete an evaluation of the program and a summary of this evaluation is returned to the organization.
WORKSHOPS:
Our workshops include all of the above, with the addition of:
- Group involvement, i.e. participants are presented with scenarios appropriate to their work environment, then divided into smaller groups for role play, discussion of appropriate responses, possible outcomes, etc. The workshop reconvenes with group leaders reporting back to the group.
- Policy development, i.e. obtaining feedback on the particular requirements of the organization and reflecting the results in a report and, if required, a draft policy.
Future workshops will include a video presentation.
Sheila Freeman Consulting also offers a general 1.5 hour OPEN FORUM on workplace bullying.
Bullying Statistics
- 21% or 1 in 5 US workers are bullied;
- 81% of bullies are bosses;
- 41% of bullied individuals were diagnosed with depression;
- over 80% reported health effects such as sever anxiety, lost concentration, sleeplessness;
- 31% of female and 21% of male victims suffered from post traumatic stress disorder;
- 82% of bullied individuals lost their jobs (44% involuntary departure, 38% voluntary);
- in 51% of cases Human Resources did nothing to help the victim despite requests; in 32% of cases HR supported the bully by reacting negatively to the victim.
- in the US, work related diseases including stress account for a total cost of $26 billion annually.
Source:
US Hostile Workplace Survey 2000, CAWB
