The cost to relationships, careers and mental health can be substantial / Le coût pour les relations, les carrières et la santé mentale peut être considérable
Thank you for raining awareness about this type of toxic behaviour in the workplace. The problem is how ineffective institutions often are in addressing such conflicts, despite the existence of well-established policies procedures. I have seen over the years how victims of workplace bullying, mobbing and false accusations pay a hefty price for standing up for themselves. I don't know why but bullies and manipulative indivuduals seem to navigate better toxic environments and receive institutional support. I believe there are sociological studies supporting my observation. I once experienced mobbing at work, with subordinates making false assumptions against me. It was one of the worst experiences in my life. My mental and physical health was severely damaged, my self-worth was practically non-existant. I started questioning my own perception of reality. What kept me sane was re-reading thank-you notes, emails and evaluations from my former students collected over 15 years of teaching. I would cry and keep saying myself "I am still that person."
Our work environments need to place respect and collegiality at the core of practices, supported by policy and implemented by people with the mandate and courage to make this work. I see weakness there, augmented by frequent personnel turnovers. This can be countered, but requires team leaders and managers to invest their energies and make ethical culture a priority.
Thank you for raining awareness about this type of toxic behaviour in the workplace. The problem is how ineffective institutions often are in addressing such conflicts, despite the existence of well-established policies procedures. I have seen over the years how victims of workplace bullying, mobbing and false accusations pay a hefty price for standing up for themselves. I don't know why but bullies and manipulative indivuduals seem to navigate better toxic environments and receive institutional support. I believe there are sociological studies supporting my observation. I once experienced mobbing at work, with subordinates making false assumptions against me. It was one of the worst experiences in my life. My mental and physical health was severely damaged, my self-worth was practically non-existant. I started questioning my own perception of reality. What kept me sane was re-reading thank-you notes, emails and evaluations from my former students collected over 15 years of teaching. I would cry and keep saying myself "I am still that person."
Our work environments need to place respect and collegiality at the core of practices, supported by policy and implemented by people with the mandate and courage to make this work. I see weakness there, augmented by frequent personnel turnovers. This can be countered, but requires team leaders and managers to invest their energies and make ethical culture a priority.