Page 128 - An Indispensible Resource for Being a Credible Activist

Date:
Re.: Recommendation to Implement an Anti-Bullying Policy for (Company)

I would like to suggest that (Company) implement an Anti-Workplace Bullying policy.
It is my observation that (Company) does in fact have a workplace-bullying problem. The
situations that occurred with (employees’ names) are examples of bullying.
While workplace bullying is completely legal in the United States, it has been cited by
the FBI as a precursor to and risk factor for workplace violence; for more information
please see: http://www.fbi.gov/publications/violence.pdf. The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recognizes bullying as a form of workplace vio-
lence: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/updates/upd-07-28-04.html.

Unless you have an objection, I will draft a sample policy for your review.

SIGNS OF CORPORATE AND INSTITUTIONAL BULLYING

Failure to meet company goals;
Increased frequencies of grievances, resignations, and requests for transfers;
Increased absence due to sickness; and

Increased disciplinary actions. 15

CHECKLIST: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM HR TO
LEADERS TO MAKE UNIONS IRRELEVANT

Ensure that all wage and hour (including FLSA) laws are properly complied with
in all finance and payroll practices. Ensure that errors are handled with a high level
of customer service directed at employees as internal customers and with the first
consideration being that the customer may be correct about any error in his or her
paycheck. If this requires finance and/or payroll staff to attend trainings, schedule
these regularly and make them mandatory.
Ensure that all safety regulations are properly complied with in all building, job
description, policies, and practices. Ensure that errors are handled with a high level
of customer service directed at employees as internal customers and with the first
consideration being that the customer may be correct about any concern about
workplace safety.
Make the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses a high priority, with an
emphasis on mandatory credible trainings from your local DOSH department of
labor, from OSHA, or from other credible industry safety trainers.

CHAPTER 8 • Concerns about W orkplace Violence, Bullying 111