AGDBullying News - Page 2
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October 2003 - RSB Country Centre Bullying
Due to long term bullying at a country Reporting Services Branch centre I had a breakdown and am on "leave", fearing returning to endure further abuse. One of the PTSD symptoms is a belief I'll be unable to work in an office again but I've finally applied for another position. It's heartening to receive recommendations like these and I can't thank you all enough for your support:
#1 "Gave you I think a beaut wrap-up. Thorough, reliable, tidy in your work, sense of humour, good team player, excellent on your own, could not fault you in any way, blah blah. Having done District Court work your medical terminology would be very good indeed. A beaut workmate and a good friend. Hope this is okay. Best of luck. Let us know please how you get on."
#2 "The questions I was asked had to do with about supervising you as well as a team worker. I just said that I had acted as your supervisor occasionally...and that I found you to be a good team worker etc. I also mentioned that I trained you in Word. One of the last questions asked was would I employ you again. I said that in my position here I have nothing to do with the employment of people but if I was employing someone personally, that I would employ you. I also said that I hoped you were successful in getting the position. Hope everything goes well for you. Let us know what happens."
Until you've experienced bullying firsthand you cannot appreciate its devastating effects on all aspects of your life. Your support at this time is priceless. Thank you so much, and of course I'll keep everyone informed as to how I'm going. (1/0/03)
Oct 2003 - "Are people really that shallow?"
"I don't need a flashy car to give me a personality. It is disappointing that so much of a person's sense of self-worth is associated with what type of car he or she drives. Are people really that shallow? When it comes down to it, a car is just a means of getting from A to B. Needing a piece of metal and rubber to define if one is `successful and independent' is a sad indictment on our society." (Juliana L, ACT, Australia)
"Are people really that shallow?" Many bullies certainly are. Where we worked one lady used her sports car to put people down. Another bully, not to be outdone, then bought a sports car also. They never miss overtime and are always hanging out for payday. It's a case of greed, not need. Neither can discuss anything not revolving around themselves. They blatantly toady to their superiors, scorning those they consider inferior (e.g. wrong car, wrong suburb, no kids, etc). When you see "shallow", check for "bully". (Ed.)
Sep 2003 - Invitation to Join Worldwide Network
To: AGDBullying. Hello - I am from the London Support Group and have created the Support Group Network. It is very informal and is to provide contact between workplace bullying support groups and to swap tips and advice if any is needed. It also seeks to be proactive in building up the number of support groups worldwide by providing help, advice and support to anyone planning or thinking about setting up a group. Would you like to join? The number of emails will be small and not burdensome - none of us need that! If you have any questions, please contact me. Thanks, - LSG Organiser - 10/9/03
http://www.bullyonline.org/resources/groups.htm
Sep 2003 - From "No Bully for Me" (Vancouver, Canada)
I just thought it was so interesting that the Attorney General's Department in NSW has a group of targets. I work(ed?) for the AG's here in British Columbia and have been bullied for three years - just managing (hoping) to get out, now. The name implies justice, but obviously doesn't provide it. (14/9/03)
Aug 03 - Working More But Achieving Less - At A Cost - Daily Teleg/7/8/03/Kylie Walker
People spend too much time at work doing too little, costing workers their health and businesses their profits. Two surveys of productivity and overtime released yesterday indicate Australia has swung too far away from its incarnation as the land of the long weekend. Corporate health specialist Healthworks found that people were not taking enough sick days, long weekends and holidays for their own good. People are coming to work with headaches, cold and flu, fatigue and depression, when they should be staying home, Healthworks chief executive Ken Buckley said. By coming to work sick or tired, employees were less productive than if they took time off, got better and came back to work quickly.
“This new phenomenon of presenteeism is costing business billions of dollars and hours of lost productivity", Mr Buckley said. In the US, presenteeism is estimated to cost employers $180 billion annually and Healthworks’ research indicated the problem ran to millions of dollars in Australia. “It’s more prevalent than absenteeism and is estimated to cost employers around seven times as much”, Mr Buckley said. A study by Link recruitment found Australians are increasingly working longer unpaid hours, with more than 90 per cent working an average 4.6 hours overtime every week. Mr Buckley said longer hours did not equate to more work: “Evidence is showing it’s having a negative effect on productivity.”
Link survey respondent said they stayed at work longer to get ahead. “Many work overtime without pay because they feel that asking for payment or refusing overtime could be looked upon unfavourably”, Link director Chris Malin said. “We live in a highly competitive world where going the extra mile is commonly expected. Almost 70 per cent of respondents agreed that overtime is becoming the norm in Australia.” Employers were responsible for fostering an unproductive, overtime-heavy work culture, Mr Buckley said. “It’s often part of the culture that you have to be seen to be there but when people are working long hours it damages their heath, it damages their relationship with their spouse and children", he said. “So responsible employers have to tell their workers they don’t want them there 60 hours a week because if you’re healthy and happy you’re a much more productive employee.”
Feb 2004 - Response from DG, NSW AGD to information concerning abuse at RSB
"The information provided by you conveys to me the workplace culture you experienced was one of unresolved conflict. As difference and disagreement between people is a part of life, I know when it occurs in the workplace it can become destructive for individuals and the organisation if it is not handled constructively. Actively addressing workplace conflict is something most of us would rather not have to do. It is particularly difficult to resolve where there are differing perceptions of the conflict or where there are allegations and counter-allegations between people. I appreciate unresolved conflict can result in the loss of valuable staff members because they may decide to leave the organisation as a result of it or they have tired of the negative work environment. A workplace culture of unresolved conflict remains a challenging and costly issue demanding continuing consideration. Whilst the challenge of addressing this workplace culture can appear daunting, the Department has attempted to assist managers and staff deal with it through policy development, implementation and education as well as programs such as the Right to Dignity@Work. I would like to convey my sympathy for your experience in the RSB office and I appreciate the opportunity to review the information provided by you. I can advise you improvements to workplace culture across the Department are ongoing. As a result of the information you have provided I intend to review the culture of this office."
Results of above letter: Six months later, as at Sep 2004 the culture of the office in question has not been reviewed and the bullying continues. Recently one worker complained of being abused in the toilet, another reports she is currently enduring door slamming, isolation, exclusion, etc.
Aug 2004 - Update
Good news. I have finally manged to secure employment after being bullied out of my sound reporter postion in 2001. I don't claim to be fully recovered from the PTSD, and I had to relocate to another city, and sign up with a temp agency after numerous failed job applications. Over 50's are not in great demand but the typing and computer skills really help.
Sep 2004 - 75% of workers bullied: survey - www.news.com.au
THREE out of four NSW workers victims of bullying in the workplace, according to new research.
The survey results are the culmination of a NSW Labor Council campaign which asked workers to write in about their experiences of workplace harassment. The survey of 840 NSW workers found that 74 per cent had been the victim of workplace bullying, while 56 per cent said they believed there was a culture of bullying at their place of work. The full survey results will be released at a workplace bullying conference today in Sydney.
NSW Labor Council secretary John Robertson said the survey findings showed workplace bullying was a growing problem.
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