Has the schoolyard bully graduated to a job at your workplace?

When I facilitate training sessions about preventing workplace sexual harassment and discrimination I inevitably hear about a manager who consistently makes it unpleasant to come to work.  The words stupid and idiot seem to be permanent parts of their language along with liberal use of all too common profanity.  Unless these comments include inappropriate language relating to gender, race, religion, nationality, age or other classes protected by employment law I provide a standard answer that, “Being a jerk is not illegal.”

Verbal barbs, glares, never returning calls, ignoring and repeated fed up sighs can poison the environment for the intended target and their co-workers.  Call it bullying, tormenting or hazing it is certainly not part of a productive day.

A 2007 survey by Zogby International reported that 37% of American workers said they had been bullied at work.  The statistic does not surprise me.  I hear these stories too often.

Ignoring the behavior doesn’t make it go away.  The advice from your youth about sticks and stones won’t cut it either.

The intimidator needs to be confronted and told that the behavior is unacceptable. It may not be illegal by itself but it could help bolster a claim of discrimination, sexual harassment or retaliation.  If you allow it to continue don’t be surprised if the toxic behavior is adopted by others and becomes part of your company culture.  Your organization won’t make it on to anyone’s Best Places to Work list unless you take action, and take it fast.