Timothy Dimoff, President of SACS Consulting and Investigative Services Inc., shares tips for preventing workplace bullying. The webinar, presented by i-Sight, also reviews the importance of employee handbooks, the effects of bullying in the workplace and the importance of investigating allegations of bullying.

1. Preventing Workplace
Bullying
Timothy Dimoff, SACS Security and Consulting Services

2. What is Workplace Bullying?
Repeated unreasonable actions of an individual(s) directed towards
an employee(s), which are intended to:
•
Cause Health Risks
•
Intimidate
•
Degrade
•
Humiliate
•
Undermine

3. What is Workplace Bullying?
Includes:
•
Verbal Abuse
•
Spreading Gossip/Lies
•
Threatening Behavior
•
Humiliation
•
Work Inferences/Sabotage
•
Persistent Criticisms of Employees’ Work.
•
Insulting Workers’ Habits, Attitudes or Personal Lives.
•
Reminding Employees of Mistakes

4. Prevention
Policies and Procedures
• Initiate strict anti-bullying policies.
• Educate employees to create an environment that
makes victims feel that they can come forward.

5. Prevention
Policies and Procedures
 Your strategies & plans need to suit the size
& structure of your workplace, and be
realistic & achievable.
 They should create long-term change and
not be used as a quick fix.

6. Prevention
Bullying can be reduced by:
•
Training & Awareness Programs
•
Managers Being Sympathetic
•
Open Communication
•
Encouraged Discussions
•
Prompt Investigation

7. Positive Culture
Prevention Leads to
Creating a Positive Company
Culture!

8. Effects of Bullying on Employees
•
Estimated Yearly Costs of
– $180 Million in Lost Time & Productivity
•
Lost Productivity
•
Litigations
•
Increased:
– Turnover
– Absenteeism
– Health Care Cost
Bullying
Increased Costs

9. Effects of Bullying on Employees
•
Negative Work Environments
•
Unhealthy Consequences
•
Less Satisfying Relations with
Co-Workers
•
Decreased Satisfaction with
Their Jobs
•
More Likely to Quit Jobs

10. Effects of Bullying on Employees:
Job Loss
• 78% of bullied individuals eventually leave their job due to the bullying
(According to Workplace Bullying Institute, April 2012)
*Percentages Shown Reflect Outcomes Only in Cases where the Bullying Had Stopped

11. Effects of Bullying on Employees:
Stress Related Illnesses
•
High Stress; PTSD
•
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•
Sleep & Digestive Disturbances
•
Increased Depression/Self-Blame
•
High Blood Pressure
•
Weight Changes
•
Ulcers
•
Headaches

12. Effects of Bullying on Employees:
Stress Related Illnesses
• 41% of Targets Become Depressed
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• 31% of Women Diagnosed
• 21% of Men Diagnosed

13. Recap
• Bullying Leads to Lost Time & Productivity
• Bullying is Expensive
• Training & Policies are Effective
• It is YOUR Responsibility as the Employer to
Resolve the Situation

14. Recap
+ Policies & Procedures
+ Training Supervisors
+ Educating Employees
+ Prompt Investigation
+ No Exceptions
= Positive Culture

15. Thank-you for participating
If you have any questions, please feel free
to email them to:
Timothy Dimoff, SACS Security and Consulting Services
tadimoff@sacsconsulting.com
Joe Gerard, Vice President Marketing and Sales
j.gerard@i-sight.com