Workplace Abuse and Creating Accountability

Workplace Fairness and Dignity

This episode discusses, in the first half, research findings on how workplace abuse increases during economic downturns, such as that caused by the current COVID-19 pandemic, and the types of people on the job -- employees and supervisors-- that engage in that behavior. It also discusses the researchers' recommendations on how organizations should implement policies that combat workplace abuse. (Time: 1 min - 8 min 49 sec)

Additional information on topics in this section:

What defines an abusive organization;

Employment laws do not protect employees from workplace abuse (unconnected to discrimination in the workplace);

Why managers and supervisors exhibit abusive behavior;

Researchers’ recommended solutions to abusive workplace behavior;

The cost to an organization from abusive management behaviors .
The second half discusses a current story of a high-level official forced to resign when her bullying, harassment and creation of a toxic work environment went public through current and former staffers. (Time: 8 min 50 sec - 18 min 43 sec)

Additional information on topics in this section:

The dollar cost of poor managers to U.S. organizations, according to Gallup;

Recommendations about how that lost revenue could be spent creating a healthy workplace culture, including promoting a zero-tolerance policy for bullying behavior;

Today’s segment is dedicated to the Chief Executive who told his staff on national television: If I hear you treating with disrespect or talking down to any other employee no matter what level position they hold, I will promise I will fire you on the spot.

Materials referenced in podcast:

Ebeid, F., Kaul, T., Neumann, K., Shane, H. (2003) Workplace Abuse: Problems And Consequences. Workplace Abuse: Problems And Consequences. International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2(6). https://doi.org/10.19030/iber.v2i6.3811

Bassman, Emily, & London, Manuel (1993). Abusive managerial behavior. Leadership and Organization Development Journal, 18-24.

Powell, Gary N. (1998) The abusive organization. Academy of Management Executive, 12(2), 5, 95-96. https://doi.org/10.5465/ame.1998.650520
MUSIC: Strut That Way by Will Van De Crommert; Do the Funky Strut, by Bobby Cole; Laid Back Jazz Music Theme by Bobby Cole; Bossa Zone; Morning Sun, by Will Van De Crommert; Hip Hop Power Rap, by Bobby Cole.