Workplace Abuse and Creating Accountability

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.