Q: I think I’ve been mobbed. Things have changed drastically – nobody speaks to me anymore. This has gone on for quite a while. I am getting desperate. I was a great employee.. and now? It seems like everybody is after me. I don’t know where to turn. I feel awful – any advice? What can I do legally?
A: What you describe sounds like a mobbing – because there were a number of people involved and management did not step in. Unfortunately, there is – as of now – not much that you can do to get legal recourse. And, unless a lawyer wants to take up the case on contigency, or the legal aid society has some interest, it can become costly to engage in legal action. Although, it is very difficult for now to pursue an employer legally, in our book “Mobbing: Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace,” we have one chapter that lists different legal options. People who have exerienced and know how dangerous bullying/mobbing can be and how detrimental it is for the victims/targets, businesses and society, are working on legislation that would put mobbing behaviors on the same level as sexual harassment and discrimination. If you have the energy you may want to become pro-active and work towards changing things, as many are doing. If you are up to, you may also want to pull all your energies together to finding another job and a work environment that truly values you and your expertise. You may want to consider to join an on-line bully-support group (if you are interested I could send you the addresses of the list owners). Have you meticulously documented all the things that happened at your workplace? For any action you may consider – this would be primordial. Do not hesitate to write, if you think we can be of any more help.
Response: Thanks for the advice. I am amazed that this is something that so many people and web sites are getting involved in. Thank god for the internet! I never thought of the world wide web as a support group before. I’m feeling better already. Thanks!!
Q: I am interested in finding help in the … area with someone able to help me with the Mobbing activities that were directed against me. I had to leave my job because of the emotional breakdown and personality disintegration that occurred from the harassing and sabotaging activities. Can you give me any guidance toward someone who knows how to deal with this psychologically and legally. I would like to stop the people responsible from ever doing anything like this to anyone again. Thank you.
A: Thank you for writing. I am terribly sorry for what you have been enduring. Your determination to do something about bringing a halt to what you have experienced is great. You ask for some referrals. I do not know anybody in the therapeutic/counselling or in the legal community in your area. You may ask friends or acquaintances if they know a good therapist or employment lawyer. It is important though that the counsellor is cognizant about workplace abuse and organizational psychology. You may actually want to share our book with a prospective counsellor/lawyer. Re. other infos that may be of interest: The Department iof Environmental Quality in the State of Oregon has enacted the first anti-mobbing policy. Please check on the HRM Resources link. Please do not hesitate to write again with any quetions you may have.
Q: I am doing research on Mobbing and need information on the following: How does a person prove they are victims of moral harassment?
A: They cannot prove it, unless targets document events over a long period of time meticulously detailing all behaviors they identify as mobbing, general harassment, bullying etc., people involved, times, places, and possible witnesses.
Q: Are there support groups for these victims?
A: There are support groups over the Internet (please see LINKS page.) However, we encourage people to create their own.
Q: Where can I find legislation in the United States? (have been unable to)
A: There is no legislation dealing with mobbing/bullying. However, there are pieces in different statues that can be applied in a mobbing case. See the chapter on the law in “MOBBING, Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace.” See also page Legal Resources on this website.
Q: Are there advocacy groups?
A: The CAMPAIGN AGAINST WORKPLACE BULLYING (CAWB). See our links page.
Q: I was mobbed by the principal of my building and the superintendent of schools supported it. The principal mobbed everyone in the building, except her “moles”. I stood up to her when she went after my son who attended school in the building where she and I worked. I was the secretary of this elementary building, I was fired in June. I appealed to the school board, but lost since they had already been told how to vote. What can I do? I want justice!
A: Thank you for writing. I am terribly sorry about what happened to you. If you have the strength I would consult an employment lawyer. He/she would be able to determine whether or not your case has merit — on any other but mobbing/bullying grounds (as this is not yet cause for legal action). For example, he/she maybe able to determine whether discrimination may an issue. You may want to check the chapter on the law in our book; Mobbing, Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace. The chapter gives a run-down of legal options. Justice, however, is never guaranteed in the legal system. The addresses of three employment lawyers that are familiar with the mobbing phenomenon and our book are mentioned on our web site on legal resources.
Q: A friend of mine is being targeted right now. She is very upset is not sleeping nights, is nervous about going to work, feels sick to hers stomach is getting back aches. She is afraid to visit with people at work for she may be written up for it and besides at this point you don’t know who to trust. (The Store Manager has been known to use a small tape recorder to record peoples conversations when he wants to). Now my question. I am from Minnesota and I cannot find anything that could help for the Mobbing or Bullying as I call it. I have searched for days gathering information for her. I do know that reporting him or the Bakery/Deli Manger to the Human Resources Department won’t help. More than a few of us have done that. I have been looking for some kind of grievance form but haven’t found anything like that either. I am at a loss as to what to do for her, and others that still work there.
I have copied off a bunch of stuff to let her know she is not alone, but there is nothing that I can find to tell her where to go for help. Any Information or help would be appreciated.
A: What you are doing for your friend is important- telling her that she is not alone. Giving her information. If she has not already gone to see a doctor or therapist, I strongly recommend that she does. In our book “Mobbing, Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace” (you can order it at www.amazon.com), we have chapters how targets can help themselves. We also have a chapter on the law, in the event that your friend is considering legal recourse – as hard and difficult and uncertain that may be. It is clearly a hostile environment.
In general, however, we recommend to leave. It is crucially important to remove oneself from an abusive situation. If she cannot afford to quit right away, she may take steps (while she still keeps working) to work on her resume and begin earnestly to look for another job.
