This opinion piece in the New York Times by Paul Klugman is a sober reminder how barbaric people can be. As someone who has studied and written extensively on workplace bullying and emotional intelligence, most work or have worked in oppressive environments where people are not allowed to express their feelings and have civil discourse where it is ok to disagree, discuss, debate, defend and yes even disobey. The consequence of this is a newfound license to unleash their feelings, using propaganda to justify it. I assert creating psychologically safe, fair and emotionally intelligent workplaces where civil discourse is the norm, the abnormal can be abated.
Alarmed whistleblower calls out Tesla
This Washington Post article describes what most whistleblowers face. As someone who blew the whistle on a corrupt executive and endured two years of retaliation, including a death threat I can relate better than most what whistleblowers have to endure, which is rather than being viewed as a patriot, being treated as a traitor.” I was fortunate enoughto have the resources to endure this horrific experience and come out on top. Most people aren’t that lucky. In my book, ‘From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire’,I give advice to whistleblowers. My blog from April 2016 reveals what whistleblowers at the TSA experienced. A previous blog discusses this dynamic at Korn Ferry; and earlier this year I explain in another blog the importance of defending whistleblowers, referencing Volkswagen this time.
Here’s how my predictions that toxic workplaces are a huge problem has become reality.
This Washington Post article was published in February, 2017 My book, ‘From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire’,was published just prior to that. How prophetic this article is; and one could argue that the predictions were dead on, but in this whole area, things appear to have gotten worse, and have not improved. Is worse really better. Is that where we as a society want to go? Is this the type of world we want to leave to our children? I don’t think so.
My book discusses in detail the dynamics outlined in the article, their toxic work environments, and what we can do to improve our workplaces no matter which role we may play. As a world leader on the subject of bullying in the workplace, I maintain that by becoming aware of these critical issues and understanding their origins and solutions, we can change the culture of fear that most people endure into one where we live fulfilling our lives – our birthright.
Is it moral harassment or is it murder?
In this Washington Post article, ‘French executives to stand trial for ‘moral harassment’ a decade after employee suicides’, we see just how powerful and serious a problem Orange France now faces in this important case.
I wrote about this company in regards to the ongoing criminal investigation in my book, ‘From Bully to Bulls-Eye: Move Your Organization Our of the Line of Fire’, connecting workplace bullying with suicide. I would also refer you to the recent blogs I wrote on suicide: Suicide Rates Rise Sharply Across the United StatesandSuicide Is By No Means Limited To The Health Care Profession - It's The Biggest Open Secret In The Workplace.
My view is that the charges should go beyond ‘moral harassment’. Harassing a person to the point of suicide is murder, or at the very least manslaughter.
Orange France is interesting in so much as people may look at them as an exception. Based on my research they are not an exception; they just got caught and exposed. It highlights that when a company gets exposed, and particularly in this case where it was an open secret, that charges are being laid and accountabilities are being held. But this severe situation deserves far more than a slap on the wrist. These suicides should be considered murder or manslaughter the very least. This would give people, especially family members who are left to pick up the pieces, some solace that companies will be forced with accountability and resultant charges.
In a recent CNN poll on suicide, 85% who responded were impacted someway by suicide. A recent study released by Stats Canada shows the stark reality of suicide, whereby 7-10 people are severely affected as the survivors of each person who dies from suicide. I often cite the Harvard/Stanford study which indicates 120,000 deaths annually which may be attributable to workplace stress. It’s time to ask the question: How many of these premature deaths are related to suicide? Absent research, we know it’s a significant problem and the of people affected need to carry the torch here as a legacy for those who did die from suicide or who attempt suicide.
Is democracy dying?
Benjamin Carter Hett’s “The Death of Democracy” traces the fall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Third Reich.In a similarly titled book, “How Democracies Die,” the political scientists Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky have recently argued that the killers of democracy begin by using the law against itself.
Many have mocked my warnings on the demise of democracy. We can learn much by thinking in time. What we are witnessing today has a precedent which had an ugly ending. This review of two books concludes with a sober warning.
“The conclusions for conservatives of today emerge clearly: Do not break the rules that hold a republic together, because one day you will need order. And do not destroy the opponents who respect those rules, because one day you will miss them.”
Sexual harassment and abuse are out of control at universities
Current policies and programs have failed overwhelmingly to address and prevent the problem of sexual harassment and abuse on college campuses across North America. A recent comprehensive report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine outlines just how serious this problem, especially amongst women continues to plague academia.
Paula Johnson, the president of Wellesley College and a co-chairwoman of the committee that produced the report, affirms that,“we really have to move beyond a mind-set of legal compliance and liability and think about the ways we can change the climate.”
This New York Times article articulates the situation in most organizations. It nails what needs to be done, namely to achieve a cultural change to make harassment and abuse of any kind unacceptable on any college campus. This is something I have been advocating for years. These issues are in no way limited to the world of academics. They are pervasive throughout most organizations. Most of the programs that have been trotted out to try to address these issues are woefully inadequate and aimed at protecting the organizations and not the people affected. We are witnessing companies doubling down on policies, yet these policies are only in place to provide a legal shield or limit liabilities. It’s time for organizations to the right thing for their employees.
Suicide rates rise sharply across the United States
The suicide rate in the United States has risen at an alarming rate over the past 15 years as is reported in this Washington Post article. The report was issued just two days after the death of Kate Spade and on the same day as Anthony Bourdain’s. The most disturbing increase is among women. In most cases, known mental health conditions are a factor, but not all. As a society, we must learn to be more aware of people around us. Not all suicides are attempted by people who have mental illness.
Recently,in The Hill, this piece, written by Vinita Parkash, who is a fellow Public Voices Fellow at Yale University, highlights the suicide epidemic in health care. I often cite the Harvard/Stanford study which indicates 120,000 deaths annually which may be attributable to workplace stress. In the work I have done in workplace bullying, the suicide epidemic is not limited to healthcare.
The natural stresses created by the current culture of fear we live in is a major contributing factor. Financial woes are a major factor, as they are directly linked to our ability to survive. Perhaps because women are playing more of a role as breadwinners, their level of fear has increased, which explains the disproportionate rise of suicide in women.
In my book, ‘From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire’, I challenge those who work in toxic cultures to become witnesses, defenders and activists, never having to regret saying, “I could have deterred a suicide or attempted suicide”. Although I don’t have any evidence to prove it, I challenge whether the suicide rate has actually gone up. Because of the stigma attached to suicide, historically the cause of death was more often labelled died suddenly instead of registering them as suicides.
It’s still an old boys club
Do 100% of male CEO’s in Canada believe there is not a sexual harassment issue in their organization?
In my book, ‘From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire’, I assert that attitudes of leaders need to change. This article in the New York Times highlights how little things have changed from a century ago.
At a ‘Women in Leadership Conference’, the female event coordinator tried to hook me off the stage for having the audacity to give the same message as in this article. The reason she cited was, “It offended the event sponsors”.
Based on a survey of CEO’s in Canada, 93 percent do not believe there is a problem in their organizations. Really?
This Globe and Mail article would strongly suggest otherwise. Considering that 95 percent of the respondents were males, one could conclude 100 percent of male CEO’s are clueless on what is going on in their organizations. Perhaps this is the reason for Canada’s dismal productivity and innovation rankings.
Suicide is by no means limited to the health care profession - it's the biggest open secret in the workplace.
In The Hill, this piece, written by Vinita Parkash, who is a fellow Public Voices Fellow at Yale University, highlights the suicide epidemic in health care. I often cite the Harvard/Stanford studywhich indicates 120,000 deaths annually which may be attributable to workplace stress. In the work I have done in workplace bullying, the suicide epidemic is not limited to healthcare. Vinita refers to suicides she heard about though “the witness network” at work. Based on what many have told me over the last few years “the witness network” is alive and well in every sector of our society while many are dead due to suicide. People should be held accountable and criminal charges should be laid against an employer if an employee is driven to suicide or attempted suicide.
Small Wonder the Catholic Church is Dying
This New York Times article exposes yet again the toxic underpinnings of the Catholic church that will bring this institution to its knees. Denying students such as school valedictorian Mr. Christian Bales the right to speak, particularly now when freedom of expression is at risk, is outrageous.
I read the speech. The principal and other powers that be can’t even be honest about why they censored him. They also unceremoniously censored Ms. Katherine Frantz, the president of the class. Rather than censoring students who have every right to be angry and have every right to be personal, they should be doing a lot more to address the sick and evil pedophile priests who have been abusing these kids for a very long time. The Catholic church has no moral authority to weigh in what kids say privately or publicly.
I applaud Christina Caron at the New York Times for reporting on this shocking injustice. I further applaud Mr. Bales’ parents for supporting their child and encouraging him and Ms. Frantz to follow their hearts, as the school should have done. Most of all though, I applaud and congratulate Ms. Frantz and Mr. Bales for their courage and the example they are setting for so many other oppressed students.