Bullying in the workplace
Discussion
I'm just wondering if it's normal to be shouted down at work, told you are useless and told to leave if you can't handle the pressure?
I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
I'm just wondering if it's normal to be shouted down at work, told you are useless and told to leave if you can't handle the pressure?
I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
I worked in the US, and that is the kind of thing that happens in meetings there sometimes. Obviously not "the done thing" here. If he's the MD/CEO you're just going to have to suck it up or leave, as he suggests.I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
davepoth said:
I worked in the US, and that is the kind of thing that happens in meetings there sometimes. Obviously not "the done thing" here. If he's the MD/CEO you're just going to have to suck it up or leave, as he suggests.
I did think this was the case...just wasn't sure.I think I'll be avoiding any American run companies in future...they're just mental.
I had someone shout "you're an effing contractor, you'll do whatever s
tty tasks I tell you to do."
He turned a very peculiar shade of purple when i replied, "I'll do whatever I'm contracted to do." It was a very odd place, there for 40 hour weeks for 7 months and did 2 days of productive work.
tty tasks I tell you to do."He turned a very peculiar shade of purple when i replied, "I'll do whatever I'm contracted to do." It was a very odd place, there for 40 hour weeks for 7 months and did 2 days of productive work.
I once worked under a guy who was a terrible bully & it became clear over a period of months from talking to female colleagues, a sex pest to boot.
Things became intolerable & I ended up telling him to get on his feet, which wasn't that bright of me as I'd have either had to smack him one or back down. However, being a bully he bottled it & from there it ceased. One of my colleagues however went to our mutual director & complained.
The response he got was xxx is more valuable to me so if you pursue this it's you or him & it's not going to be him. Valuable lesson there in how life is not fair & you need to work out the best way to deal with tossers who will inevitably cross your path.
Things became intolerable & I ended up telling him to get on his feet, which wasn't that bright of me as I'd have either had to smack him one or back down. However, being a bully he bottled it & from there it ceased. One of my colleagues however went to our mutual director & complained.
The response he got was xxx is more valuable to me so if you pursue this it's you or him & it's not going to be him. Valuable lesson there in how life is not fair & you need to work out the best way to deal with tossers who will inevitably cross your path.
I work in construction, st rolls downhill...
I've been in project meetings where it has become extremely aggressive and not too far from blows. Motivation is supplied in the form of constant negative feedback in the hopes that it pushes you to 'up your game'.
Client > Main Contractor > M&E Contractor > Sub-Contractor > Supplier, everybody kicks everybody.
That said, I do love it.
t rolls downhill...I've been in project meetings where it has become extremely aggressive and not too far from blows. Motivation is supplied in the form of constant negative feedback in the hopes that it pushes you to 'up your game'.
Client > Main Contractor > M&E Contractor > Sub-Contractor > Supplier, everybody kicks everybody.
That said, I do love it.
I've seen this in the past with very aggressive senior managers. When I was a lot younger I was more timid and would just shy away until the rant was over. I've had a couple of run ins with more senior managers than me at my current job but instead of flyig off the handle like I have done, my assertiveness training kicks in. "I understand that you require the report, however, I have a project deadline to meet therefore I will get it for you, just not todayas you request. It will be next week." Repeat until they simmer down and everntually agree 
Win win.
I worked at a memory chip manufacturer after qualifying uni. We had a Monday meeting in the factory which meant suiting up in clean room gear and getting changed into factory shoes which were held in dockets. We had employed so many staff that we had to double up on dockets so two pairs of shoes would be in one slot. The production manager walked in and went absolutely beserk asking why there wasn't one slot for one pair. He took every single shoes out and slung them into a large laundy basket. We had to spend 30 minutes picking each shoe out (as they were identicle apart from having out names written on them) and matching them all up again so we could have our meeting. Totally unreasonable.
Oddly enough we have an American MD where I am now but he's not the sort to bully like that.
Win win.I worked at a memory chip manufacturer after qualifying uni. We had a Monday meeting in the factory which meant suiting up in clean room gear and getting changed into factory shoes which were held in dockets. We had employed so many staff that we had to double up on dockets so two pairs of shoes would be in one slot. The production manager walked in and went absolutely beserk asking why there wasn't one slot for one pair. He took every single shoes out and slung them into a large laundy basket. We had to spend 30 minutes picking each shoe out (as they were identicle apart from having out names written on them) and matching them all up again so we could have our meeting. Totally unreasonable.
Oddly enough we have an American MD where I am now but he's not the sort to bully like that.
I am not a shouter and will not work for shouters. The downside to this is that some people are surprised when I have reached my limit and pass them a box to put their things into.
Fair enough the odd ‘kick up the ass’ is fine when required but ranting and raving as a rule is not the way to get ahead, and a sure fire way to get my back up.
How you deal with it is down to your own feelings and responsibilities. I only have myself and my partner to think of and have enough behind me to go without work for a few years if I had to. As such I would have no hesitation in finding out as much as I could about the person in question’s role and results, etc then waiting until they had finished their rant a week or so later and then giving them one back along the lines of “So if you line manager was to say...” and ending up with “how would you react?” I’d be quite happy to run it to its conclusion, wherever that may be. But I am secure and know that I could make one phone call and be starting a new job in a different industry on Monday.
Most would just be looking for another job and leaving quietly without ever letting on the real reason they left for fear of damaging their prospects.
Fair enough the odd ‘kick up the ass’ is fine when required but ranting and raving as a rule is not the way to get ahead, and a sure fire way to get my back up.
How you deal with it is down to your own feelings and responsibilities. I only have myself and my partner to think of and have enough behind me to go without work for a few years if I had to. As such I would have no hesitation in finding out as much as I could about the person in question’s role and results, etc then waiting until they had finished their rant a week or so later and then giving them one back along the lines of “So if you line manager was to say...” and ending up with “how would you react?” I’d be quite happy to run it to its conclusion, wherever that may be. But I am secure and know that I could make one phone call and be starting a new job in a different industry on Monday.
Most would just be looking for another job and leaving quietly without ever letting on the real reason they left for fear of damaging their prospects.
My current client could do with a few shouty people, might get some things moving.
I've worked with people like that before and found it just meant nobody ever approached them which left huge problems to be swept under the carpet. Although from their POV they never saw the problems so probably thought it was a successful approach.
I've worked with people like that before and found it just meant nobody ever approached them which left huge problems to be swept under the carpet. Although from their POV they never saw the problems so probably thought it was a successful approach.
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
I'm just wondering if it's normal to be shouted down at work, told you are useless and told to leave if you can't handle the pressure?
I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
No, it is not normal or reasonable and bullying is proven to reduce efficiency and productivity. It is likely a mask for his own incompetence and insecurity.I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
Being told to "go get another job" would probably amount to constructive dismissal and you could take them to the cleaners, if you wanted.
If company has a proper HR department then raise a complaint if not find another job and poach the good people.
DrDoofenshmirtz said:
I'm just wondering if it's normal to be shouted down at work, told you are useless and told to leave if you can't handle the pressure?
I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
I've got a real problem with people who think this is the way to behave.I work in a fairly senior IT position, but it's not uncommon to go into meetings where the head honcho (a properly unhinged aggressive American nutter) will go round the table pointing out how badly individuals are performing (in his opinion) and telling them they should 'go get another job'.
Now, I'm all for weeding out the slackers, but people are genuinely doing a good job, but don't happen to be in his closest circle of generals (think mad dictator surrounded by loyal minions).
Does this normal to anyone?
In *SOME* situations, I think a display of 'passion' is ok, but very much in a constructive, 'come on guys !!' kind of way.
What you describe is mental, and I'd be looking for alternate employment.
One of my old bosses was like this, great sales guy, soon as he moved to management he lost the grip he was used to having on things and just turned into an idiot. To be fair to him, the company hadnt given him management training and he clearly wasnt cut out for it, just thought that was the progression that people should have.
He was found out after a while and given a bit of money to disappear
He was found out after a while and given a bit of money to disappear
It's not normal no - the people doing the shouting create this environment whereby it makes others think it is normal. It is not; it's bullying.
Worked with nutters and shouters. They don't add anything other than fear into a team, which makes staff leave and it all becomes counter productive; a good manager doesn't need to shout to get things done.
It often boils down to someone letting the power get to their head; once they know shouting gets things done quicker they stick to it. However mid to long term it has the opposite effect and people just don't want to work hard for you.
It boils down to this - if you're not happy, go work somewhere else. Yes it's painful but life is honestly too short to be working for aholes.
Worked with nutters and shouters. They don't add anything other than fear into a team, which makes staff leave and it all becomes counter productive; a good manager doesn't need to shout to get things done.
It often boils down to someone letting the power get to their head; once they know shouting gets things done quicker they stick to it. However mid to long term it has the opposite effect and people just don't want to work hard for you.
It boils down to this - if you're not happy, go work somewhere else. Yes it's painful but life is honestly too short to be working for a
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