Is this Bullying?

[Snappo]

At my place of work, as in most places, there are correct channels to go through for complaints. A staff member had used these channels, ad nauseum, and got exactly nowhere. Dispirited, the staff member decided to take the bull by the horns and report the issue to the Dept. of Health. The staff member remained anonymous for fear of reprisal, and judging by the memorandum that was posted entitled "Rumours and Gossip", the staff member was right to do so. The memorandum contained wording like 'besmirching other staff in underhanded ways", "unprofessional", "unacceptable behaviour", etc. Threats like "any staff member going outside our own internal process may face disciplinary action or termination".

What do you do when management at your place of work does nothing, and you're too frightened to report them for fear of the above?

I, personally, have been ridiculed at staff meetings for standing up for the rights of the residents. It was only a minor issue, but one that needed to be addressed, it wasn't, the issue, and myself, was completely negated, and we "moved on to the next item on the agenda". I get so tired of fighting and leaving myself open to humiliation........I need a 'blind eye' to turn, but I can't justify it.

[wannie]

Unfortunately bullying,harassment ,victimisation ,abuse of any sort, assault etc is endemic in Aged Care . When you have an industry which is self regulated and is run on fear of speaking out against it no wonder these stories are being published . It is run by an authoritarian regime of executives and directors whose pay packets are astronomical for just sitting on their backsides to just direct policies that are out of date by decades . If you do make a relevent complaint you are branded a "troublemaker" for bringing it to management's attention as they don't want the complaint to go higher as they don't get the large bonus payment at the end of the year. Yes this is the main reason why . The CEO's are not there to control management as they were the ones who employed them originally so you can't go against the CEO's pets can you.
Anyway most of these people are work psychopaths . They are there for the power and to get further in the organisation no matter what .

[wanda]

One thing that can be said about your workplace, Snappo, is that it is not very professional. A professional manager does not write in the terms you describe. A professional manager does not try to intimidate staff into silence (they don't need to). A professional manager does not let a staff member leave a meeting feeling unheard and put down.

Is it bullying? It doesn't matter. Whatever you call it, you get three choices: 1) accept what is, sadly, and turn a "blind eye" 2) keep raising the issues in the same way and receiving the same responses, or 3) do it differently.

Option 3 depends a lot on the state of your conscience, what issues you face (whether they threaten resident comfort, or safety, for example) and whether you have significant support from your peers.

Sorry, Snappo, there is no "bully fairy" with a magic wand. To make a "real" difference takes real application and carries real risk. It's not fair. But it's the way it is. For most people, Option 2 is an act of courage and enough to keep them occupied! But here's a thought that might help: The "negation" and "humiliation" you speak of - it's not personal. If yours is a truly dysfunctional management and you are raising genuine issues - then the response you are getting is not personal. It might feel personal, and they might be looking at you at the time, but in a genuinely insecure or inadequate manager the purpose in what they say or do has nothing whatever to do with you. Wrap your head around that one, and you're well on your way.

[Snappo]

Thanks for your reply, wanda, and interesting points on the topic. It raises further points:
- I disagree that it doesn't matter if it's bullying, or not. Bullying, in any form, is discouraged in any workplace and there are (supposed to be) reprisals for the behaviour. My question is, when the bully is the very person your are supposed to report it to, where do you go from there?
- As Wannie states, the CEO views the FM in a different light to the workers. The FM is very good at cutting expenses in various innovative, but presumably, legal ways. The burden of staff cut backs falls, of course, on the shoulders of the remaining staff.
- Unqualified, inadequately trained people are employed to fill roles totally unsuited to them because they are cheap. i.e. "traineeships" for the chronically unemployed. The workplace pay a pittance and the Government pick up the slack. (I stress here that I am all for these people being given the opportunity to gain work skills. What I question, is the appropriateness of having our residents at the mercy of their ministrations).
- Consequently, the FM is saving the company a bomb, and this is what she was employed to do.
- I agree, our workplace is dysfunctional and unprofessional (this is the problem!). If you walk the walk and talk the talk, then you're anonymous and acceptable. If you don't, you're a troublemaker and singled out for some very innovative ways for making life difficult for you (as I'm sure you know), till you finally throw the towel in, and leave.
- Your final paragraph is noted but, again, it raises the question 'what do you do?'. I raise issues at EVERY staff meeting, and am well on my way to be branded a troublemaker. I really don't care, but I think the axe will fall, and I will be singled out for covert action in the not too distant future. Given my age, and so-so health status, I probably wouldn't last too when subjected to this treatment. My getting sacked, or leaving, helps no-one.

[Sally]

I do really feel so sorry for you Snappo. What you say is 100 per cent TRUE. It seems that we don't have a chance when it comes to this kind of treatment and it is dreadful that the very people who should be punished make it their business to punish the innocent. There just isn't anywhere to go !!!
SHAME SHAME SHAME !!!!
My thoughts are there with you.

Sally

[linda_m]

Work place bullying is evidently rife in this country. A member of my family has been subjected to it in recent times. It is horrid and destructive and wrecks people's lives. But Wanda is right. Bullying and harassment are generally perpetrated by insecure people promoted beyond their capacity - people who cannot accept criticism or new ways of doing things - seeing such ideas as a personal threat to their autonomy. Whereas a secure and competent manager welcomes suggestions from others.

Not that understanding that makes it easier for the victim who has to put up with daily harassment. Getting others on side should help. Sadly, people are often on side in private - but lack the fortitude to speak out in public when the crunch really comes.

[wanda]

Many of us have stood in the same dreadful place, Snappo, wondering whether to submit and retreat, or speak our truth knowing we probably jeopardise our job and maybe our health – but none of us can really help you decide which is right for you. And we all ask the same thing – if they have the power and they are abusing it and the aged care system supports them – then who do we turn to for a bit of power on our side? And Sally is right – the options are pitifully few!

Re. “bullying”. Legally, this comes under the employer's occ. health and safety obligation to provide a safe workplace (in SA and presumably elsewhere) and, from memory, it's the employer you pursue. But, from my reading, it's terribly hard to prove, you need to devote your life to documenting it over a long period with no guaranteed success at the end, and of course nothing changes in the workplace in the meantime. You should be able to get everything you need to know about this from your Employee Ombudsman Office (or their website).

We found the Ombudsman knowledgeable and easy to talk to – but of no practical use. Legally, he can advise, but he can't act on your behalf. The union (Miscellaneous Workers) was similar. Terrific on industrial matters, and they know where you're coming from on the “bully at work”. But at the end of the day – it's all down to you.

Also, some of the issues that concern you (rationalisation, staff cuts) are political. You won't fix these within your facility. They are universal. You don't have to love your CEO and FM, but you can't really “blame” them for the staffing mix. They're small cogs in a wheel they don't control either, which might explain (though not excuse) some of their behaviour, too?

But look, it's not all negative. Speaking out can pay off. This won't help you, because your facility is apparently privately owned, but ours was in a small town, built and still owned by the community. So we had a local board of management and a wonderful source of power – the public. It allowed us to take our concerns outside of the facility (despite the same sort of warnings as in your memo) and talk, talk, talk. Ultimately, we broke up a nasty little clique of bullies and got rid of one of the worst, the care manager. Didn't save our jobs, we had to get out. But she left a few months later – and it was all down to public pressure. When it comes to “bullies”, that's the only thing they fear. Exposure.

There aren't any pat answers and yes, it's all very wrong and frustrating. But you can only do the possible in this world and if you are offering what you can at meetings, then be proud, because many don't.

[wannie]

At least there are other people who have had similar experiences to me.
I unfortunately was on the receiving end of a person who is still there at this facility . Being physically assaulted and psychologically damaged by this person and others doesn't make life easy .
I was lucky to a certain degree and had a very good lawyer assisting me with an excellent psychiatrist . I will never "get over this" assault.
I fortunately have a better job and a very understanding supervisor and manager in the health industry . Change of career has done me good but I still have flash backs .
Bullying is only the tip of the iceberg in aged care. It is encouraged in this industry . You are considered strong when you bully people.
I'm really glad I don't work with work psychopaths anymore.

[Snappo]

Oh, dear, seems like our FM has ticked off one too many people. The person was certainly the recipient of some pretty harsh treatment and, after sitting back and taking this treatment for quite a long time, has decided to do something about it, finally. The union is now involved and, whilst I don't know all the ins and outs of it, I expect there will be a lot of the old 'you know what' hitting the fan in the not too distant future. I await, with cautious optimism, the outcome!!!

[wannie]

When you have an Aged Care Facility / Head Office try and hide and deny that bullying occurs when in actual fact it is rife and encouraged by management as a means of quashing those that speak out what do you do.
As this industry is run by so called experts one has to wonder what do these people actually do for the good and caring workers ( and of course residents and families).
Nothing it seems, as these people are mainly "for profit " owners or CEO's of Aged Care Facilities that only want to feather their own nests.
I want to also say that the nursing staff are all carers . I did a 14 mnths course Certificate 111 in Aged and Community Care and I learnt all aspects of nursing including "dental hygene". I still classify myself as a nurse .
I was severely assaulted , bullied , harrassed , victimised etc at this Aged Care Facility .
I wrote letters complaining about the treatment I received, went to a counselling meeting which was a waste of time as the people present had no qualifications to do this. All they did was write a report and file it away . I did a very good caring job with the residents and was bullied because I apparently took too long. I also saw some very nasty things at this place and was told not to speak the truth or I would cop it. I did. I fortunately documented everything . Policies and procedures are ignored as usually it is known who the bully( ies ) is/are and they can't control them .

[Snappo]

This is probably the wrong area to follow up with this, but I'd like to make mention about your comment at the end of your write up, Wannie, concerning doing a good, caring job with the residents and being bullied for taking so long. This is such a dilema when you have the staff shortages rife in aged care. There are two views here for the overworked, and in my case, evening shift carer, a) you give 'adequate care to the residents and get them all off to bed, or b) you give excellent care to a few, then hope that night staff will finish off the remainder. Realistically speaking, this can't happen as, at my ACF there is just 1 carer for 60 residents during the night. This person is flat chat doing all the duties that night staff get lumped with, plus the rounds, without having to put residents to bed as well. And, if the person did put residents to bed, trust me, it would only be 'adequate' care, and the carer who left them up would be a 'bludger' and 'lazy'.

One carer at my facility put in a formal complaint to the FM because of the way she was treated and spoken to for taking 'so long' to get the residents off to bed. She was rewarded with an extremely sarcastic and denigrating reply from our empathetic FM. She stays, she is a good and diligent carer, if our facility was staffed with more of her ilk, we would be the best in Australia. Unfortunately, what she doesn't do is left for the others to carry....see......a dilema!!!!

[Snappo]

This is an addit. to my post of the 5th March. It appears that there is a limit to how far an FM can go with bullying and such like behaviour. It was far more involved that I realized, there were several unions and government bodies eventually dragged into the situation and, the upshot is, that the FM was summarily dismissed. Just goes to show that if you hang in there and go through the right channels, it pays dividends. Finally, a satisfactory outcome, we are all extremely grateful, both staff and residents, to the wonderful union officials who worked hard to achieve this result.

[Administrator]

snappo, that is great news - and yes, you are so right - there is something to be said for persistence!

[michelle]

This is an addit. to my post of the 5th March. It appears that there is a limit to how far an FM can go with bullying and such like behaviour. It was far more involved that I realized, there were several unions and government bodies eventually dragged into the situation and, the upshot is, that the FM was summarily dismissed. Just goes to show that if you hang in there and go through the right channels, it pays dividends. Finally, a satisfactory outcome, we are all extremely grateful, both staff and residents, to the wonderful union officials who worked hard to achieve this result.

What a marvellous ending Snappo, and some excellent posts here. I have always pursued an issue and of course you can get a name for yourself and the statement made earlier here where staff are all on your side till it comes to the crunch is sadly OH so true, infact I find they like to load the gun and have someone else fire the bullets, I used to battle away at staff meetings and mostly waste my time so I will not attend them any more, Instead if it is a resident issue I document, document document or incident and hazard people seem to fear this fortunately I do not. I have used ARAS here with a much favoured outcome but it took me awhile to keep and document for myself the evidence! however the bullying rough shod EN was removed.
A few months ago I became a delegate for the LHMU when a co- worker was done for bullying but it was dealt with inappropriately and added to this we have a CM who puts out rosters gives hours to casuals and then transfers the hours to a PPT workers she favours completely making up new rosters and so am chipping away so to speak.No management can threaten workers for reporting to the correct authority that is what they are there for and I certainly have no fear of doing this again should the need arise

[At Wits End]

If people pour scorn on you and ridicule you for daring to raise an issue of care then this is a form of bullying.

To arm yourself to understand bullying there are some things to remember.
1. The bully is inadequate but gets away with bullying as they think they are entitled to do it, and often management allows this to continue because bullies are also often amongst the managers. Bullies often promote bullies and so the cycle continues. Bullies also need 'enablers'. Those weak souls who sit on their hands and say nothing. Often because they fear that they too will be bullied. Bullies often target a person who they see as a threat - and what is more threatening but a person telling the truth about an unacceptable situation? or speaking up for the vulnerable - exposing those who are happy to do nothing to bring comfort to the vulnerable?

2. Bullying has stages. The bully takes an action and expects to get a reaction. Not reacting as the bully expects is a threat to the bully. However reacting as the bully expects gives the bully permission to take the bullying to the next level. Lose Lose anyway you look at it. Over working a person, heaping them with more and more work is a form of bullying. Confronting the bully feel good but may not stop the bullying. Far better to get out. Never seek a reference from a bully - they will want to destroy you in any new place you go to too.

3. The stages are the same - it is just the intensity of the bullying that can be different So the most serious bullying can end in the death of the victim. So whether it is domestic violence, school yard bullying, work bullying, institutional (gaol/military etc) bullying - it is all still bullying. And it can and often does sometimes end in the health of the victim being compromised, often seriously.

4. It helps if the victim learns to understand the stages of bullying . The aim of bullying is often to destroy the victim. But once the victim is neutralised (in the mind of the bully) then the bully will let up - but if you wait that long then you as the victim will be less confident and less able as the bully is vicious and relentless. Bullies are sick sick people. Who are often in positions of power.

5. The best chart of the bully and what they do and why and how they do it - and the victim reactions - can be found in a book called 'Bullying from backyard to Boardroom' One of the editors of this book is William WILKIE. Book published by Queensland University Press. The book is worth every penny. Chapter seven is GOLD. It gives the Biderman's chart of the stages of bullying.

6. Most bullies bully more than one person at a time. Armed with this book you can identify which person is at which stage of bullying.

7. Most bullies will try to destroy your reputation behind your back and spread malicious lies about you. And undermine you at every opportunity. The thing bullies fear the most is exposure as a bully and a confrontation in front of a superior. But this is risky and I do not advocate it as often the bully has already character assassinated you in many ways you are unaware of. Never speak to the bully unless there are many witnesses present. Document in a private notebook that you NEVER share with anyone what the bully did, when, where, how and how it made you feel. What you did to counteract it. Pretty soon you will see a pattern and you will learn to remove yourself from situations that will result in bullying. Schedule activities outside work that make you feel good - like a visit to the gym. Keep you health and fitness up to good levels. Join a group/s so you can interact with others to show that you are easy to get along with.

8. Very hard to say this - but if you think you are being bullied then get out fast and get out early. Do not stay to be treated like a vulnerable mouse in the jaws of a vicious lion. Bullies love hurting and destroying people. And if you stay expect your career to go nowhere.

9. Be kind to yourself and do good things for you. Retrain if you need to. Share none of your plans with the bully. They are not and never will be your friend. You first and foremost must be kind to you. You cannot effectively keep on giving your all if you are also being bullied. There are better places and better opportunities and you owe it to yourself to do the best thing to best and most effectively support you.

10 Life is like an emotional bank. When you give sometimes it comes back to help you feel good and that deposits into your emotional bank for use later. Genuine compliments and you knowing you achieved something really good equals a deposit into your emotional bank. But also when you give give give and you get little good feedback in return then is a withdrawal. There is only so much that can be withdrawn from your emotional bank before you run out of credits in that bank. And when you are being bullied and abused then that is a major withdrawal from your emotional bank. So you can see why abuse and bullying will eventually result in your emotional Bank being over-drawn. When that happens you suffer. And then you have less or no reserves to call on. So you can see why it is not in your best interests to continue to put up with intolerable situations that drawn down too much from your emotional bank.