Dr. Gary Namie on Workplace Bullying: What it is and is not

Dr. Gary Namie, director of the Workplace Bullying Institute, introduces all audiences to the topic.

[@dawns9895]

Spot on. Please don't give up. People should be able to go to their job without fear and harassment.

[@tomblewomble3369]

In my experience mediation meetings are misspelled ambushes

[@janine5314]

100%

[@Bestodds1]

TOTALLY! One HUNDRED PERCENT!!

[@chargersbride]

I was bullied out of my job, I left 12 days ago , I am not the same person anymore , I just rang the top Management they don't care, I wish I never worked there. If your getting bullied, get out while you still have a good reference, so they don't stop you getting another job . It won't get better, the bullies won't leave, GET OUT NOW !!!!!

[@abelhasrisen2793]

chargersbride fuck that. I confronted them and told them two could play that game. One day when they least expected, after "making ammends" an "accident" occurred and one of my "co-workers" was blinded for life.

[@cathyzhang2769]

chargersbride but, how can you leave without launching another job, especially your job is your only souce of income. I was bullied by the supervisor whose name was also Sheila too. She was trying to force me to leave too and I did not leave. She had to fabricated something and made conspiracies against me while I was away. When I came back from my vacation, the company told me this was my last day....

[@citizenOfNowhere777]

cathy zhang Wow... just like that? I am so sorry. Did you go to a lawyer?

[@desleygeraghty-rudd4511]

Oh I know how you feel and yes they do not care and yes it never leaves you -

[@marydavis5976]

I work with being bullied daily. It has begun to affect my health. I am having anxiety attacks. I am not resting good at night. I go to work to do my job. It's more like daily torment.

[@hayleydesforges1033]

Absolutely right meditation, doesn't work in Bullying situations. It just gives them the Green light to step up the campaign of abuse

[@roryfyfesmith8342]

I got bullied at school and into adulthood, with people calling me mong, creep, poof, wierdo. I am not gay and I have a degree. The bullying got so bad I started hearing things. Every 4 seconds I was hearing people call me gay, creep, poof, mong wierdo. It was very tough. I ended up having to take medciation to cut down the insults. Now i still hear insults but not as much. I know lots of mentally ill people who started hearing things due to bullying. People also kill themselves due to bullying. So bullying does really badly destroy lives. I am now trying to cope. But I will never fully recover.

[@mjennifer142]

Rory Fyfe Smith The voices got real bad for me to.

[@starlightlake9666]

The blame is totally down to management by not paying enough attention to the character and emotional maturity of their staff plus the lack of sound judgement and assessment of situations that can potentially raise red flags in the workplace environment. Bullies act in the way they do because they know they can get away with it like spoilt brats. Eagle-eyed and discerning authorative management could solve this problem easily through warnings and penalties, but sadly management may also fear the bullies through the imposition of political correctness and the false meme of equality. Also good managers do not need to behave in a bullying manner, they should already possess the required management skills to do the job for which they are usually being well paid for. The presence of bullies spells destruction and under-productivity for companies, institutions or any other project by way of the eventual loss of their most talented and capable workers who are the main targets of bullies. The onus is not on the targeted employee to prove that bullying is taking place. Good management and discerning assessment should prevent the incursion and acceptability of such useless characters as bullies into the workplace. Management that ignores bullies do so at the peril of the company's future success and survival.

[@PersonWConscience]

Yup, the lack of sound judgement and assessment of situations

[@knowledgeisthepower1]

Use to work at a boarding school in UK as a lifeguard!! After 3 years left- ended up with severe depression and suicidal ideation!

[@amandat7556]

everything that is being described is the situation I'm in right now! I have been with a company for 13 years an a new manager was hired an the last three years the workplace for me has been unhealthy. Constant critism, unreasonable work requirements, comments regarding my person appearance etc..

[@abelhasrisen2793]

Amanda Thompson yea a new boss usually always changes EVERYTHING. Especially if they are culturally biased or different from you

[@cokerainbows]

The folk at work have got me to the point that if someone actually treats me like a human being, i find it strange. Im ignored, they pick up on any mistakes i make even though i work hard..the manager is doing it but the others ignore me, i'll say hello in the morning and im met with silence...fucking unreal.

[@williamlevy6964]

Just remember their faces, leave and beat the shit out of the "boss" in privacy while no one's looking. Then you can get the sweet revenge by saying, "I beat you? That's quite the accusation you made there. PROVE IT." And then the next time you see him in privacy do it again. If he films it break his camera. You understand?

[@martinlykke2918]

What I've found is that many employers who tolerate workplace bulling constantly are rehiring. First, the intelligent employees who are sharp enough to recognize that this is a "no win" situation will either turn down the job or quit immediately. Or, Thirdly the employee who is a slow learner maybe because of a learning disability, will ultimately be fired but not after he or she is the target of constant verbal abuse recognized in this video. I have had supervisors who throw tantrums, use passive aggressive behavior and other unprofessional means to control me and there employees or to vent they're frustration. They target people who are insecure or have a low self image and won't fight back, they are the same as a school yard bullie they test you and see how far they can go.

[@citizenOfNowhere777]

Martin Lykke They don't always target those who are secure. The opposites happens a lot.

[@user-qv7vi2ls6j]

Bullying in the work place is violence, period. Bullying is a health hazard. My empathy to all on this channel who have been subjected to the bullies in your work and homelife.

[@999timepass]

Good luck to you as well....Yes, we will all fight back.. It is not you...it is their upbringing and insecurity...they are losers...we will win some day !

[@DeanieLinguini]

All companies should have meeting addressing this issue.

[@neerajpardesi3052]

@EyesToSee all meetings everywhere at work at all times, must be recorded. This is probably the only way to make bullies feel accountable and scrutinized for bad behaviour

[@adasanti7312]

A horrific boss ruined my career, let alone 4 years of my life. Thank you for these videos.

[@sl4983]

Mr. Namie, where have you been? You are a HERO!!!

[@GeorgeWofford]

Thank you, this vid really helped me. I just got fired for going to HR over bullying. Unfortunately the bully liked to play politics all the way up the ranks.

[@bartonim]

@easyworship It's time we all fight back. I have experienced it from more than one person, and have seen the same married couple who targeted me go after another person. They also have a history of bullying which I was unaware of. I'm no longer sitting back; it's going to stop.

[@beverleyreid7572]

Thank you so much for confirming what I have been going through. HR is advocating the bad behavior and actually have the nerve to call me delusional and trying their best to intimidate me. I had to walk out of my job with no plans in order to save my health and well-being. This is criminal and it NEEDS to stop!!!

[@spirituality1000]

Working Bullying is often disguised using forms of performance management and bosses know where they are in the legal right. I have when so called work friends turned their back on me, but I have seen when workplace bullying destroyed my career, destroyed my self-esteem and make me feel life is not worth living. My career is going nowhere and I am in a soul destroying job

[@ronaldbauerlmft7278]

James I can totally relate to that! There is nothing worth "losing your soul" - Hopefully, you are out of that situation and/or have the tools to get your personhood back!

[@desleygeraghty-rudd4511]

Hello James I have suffered from bullying exactly as you have described fro 3 years now - no working for the career I loved- nursing - I have tried for help to no outcome. Any way thanking you for sharing - kind thoughts

[@donnaphilben4389]

A supervisor at my job blatantly admitted to me that I am disliked by co workers at my workplace........I try to get along with everybody and work my hardest.

[@Musicpuzzle]

Thank you for posting this video. I needed this as I too feel I am experiencing PTSD due to this.

[@user-qv7vi2ls6j]

Bullying is physcological violence which drives individuals to PTSD and gastrointestinal problems and much more. Thank you for sharing these helpful informational videos Dr Gary!!!

[@sherryhoward663]

Good on you Sudhir. I had 2 sons who were bullied and it almost killed me to watch them so sad. I'm so glad to see you take back your life. Remember that it's not you with a problem but them. It's now a disease where one loses their soul and it's spreading fast. Anyone who bullies HAS LOST THEIR SOUL, and I pity them for that. Just know that you're one of the healthy people and so am I. I honestly feel sorry for their disease and their pitiful horrible lives. Living without a soul isn't living.

[@cokerainbows]

I'm the same, suffer from anxiety, been getting panic attacks a lot. My stomach is horrendous, i feel sick and upset before work...i have a serious health condition and they know this, yet still do it...disgusting.

[@SweetGypsyMamma213]

Thank you for the work you are doing. With knowledge and empowerment and hearing other people's stories we can come together to do something instead of suffering in silence alone.

[@bossalucard8162]

please do a video on workplace sabotage

[@Pluckmaster]

This gentleman knows exactly what he is talking about. I have suffered terribly in my workplace (and still am). I have never met this man, and yet he is describing my workplace ordeals like he was there when these dreadful events happened. I applaud you for your great efforts.

[@lemostjoyousrenegade]

You're BEAUTIFUL, Mr. Namie! Continue to TEACH & help folks remember their worth, and therefore, LOVE themselves enough to do what is right for their peace of mind and to help the mentally ill bullies heal from the disease of inferiority-consciousness. Peace & Blessings to you, Angel Man!

[@ranterredhead5005]

lemostjoyousrenegade You don't get that bullies don't want healed. Their so called illness Is not inferiority complex but hubris and false superiority complex! @!@!

[@firstladyqueen5985]

Ranter Redhead I guess what the person meant was that consciously/silently they feel inferior aka jealous/envious etc. Of the person they are targeting.

[@ranterredhead5005]

First Lady Queen I guess it might have been better to say superiority complex. But one bases on false premises only that they hold power of some kind to influence and not be exposed. The exposure is what is feared so it involves a group to uphold the lie and intimidation.

[@robabpourjahangir7235]

I love dr gary namie. He tell the truth which helps good people. Every detail is truth.you are extremely good. Time serve the bully.

[@wardcleaver5293]

Doctor Namie has hit this nail rite on the head. I highly encourage ANYONE who knows you have this problem at work, ...to refer your supervisors or boss to this video and Doctor Namie's other materials and efforts. Quite simply, bullying of any kind just isn't acceptable. Bullying needs to stop.

[@ursalaoutrageous9249]

Three of us had a do-nothing coworker who was promoted to supervisor over us. It became rather obvious that he had done a con job on our very stupid blonde of a boss. All our would-be raises and bonuses were diverted to him. After that he changed dramatically. He did less work than ever, became demanding, threatening and derisive. He came in when he pleased and left when he pleased. It was if all of the hatred he had secretly felt came to the surface, because the abuse was constant. Our morale plummeted. Whereas I had once been praised highly for my work, now I was demeaned and constantly criticized for the same, if not an even higher level of work. One of my coworkers was driven to a suicide attempt and had to be hospitalized for several days. (This very gifted, hardworking woman quit and got a job making more than twice her former salary.) When the bully got so full of himself he even defied the boss, it finally dawned on her that maybe he wasn’t so great after all. She fired him. But it was too late. She had already lost three very good, hardworking employees.

[@ORANGESNOWFLAKE84]

I am a top performer, there is nothing to critize about my measurable performance. And my boss is a bully, she twist the rights to wrong, she team up with my direct to intimidate me and watch me every move.... it was hell I suffered depression, thought of suicide and anxiety disorder.... I complained, and now she is retaliating... after 12 months, she still there looking good from the top management. .. she got the support of her boss, and this kind of behavior will not stop.....

[@kmtaylor88]

Thank you Dr Gary for explaining this so well.

[@suebrown7032]

Im relieved to find this channel🦋🤠

[@DracoAquarian1]

Beautiful and succint video. Thanks for posting it !!

[@practicerepeat5927]

i get bullied constantly by a co-worker that is higher rank than me, and for the first time today, I spoke up and talked to the boss. it was hard but it had to be done. my health is the utmost importance.

[@sl4983]

Did your boss do anything? My 2nd level boss didn't do anything.

[@joanpalin3507]

I have worked in many toxic environments where the bullies were the owners, the vice presidents (fear is the primary management style) and managers. I left my career to work at home and start an online business because I also had emotional and physical effects from this. We do need to bring this to light. So many people are told "just suck it up" theres nothing you can do. Unfortunately bosses are rewarded for their bullying tactics because they get results.

[@NYCWendy1]

This is such an important message. Thank you sir!

[@resonanttotality8322]

I'm glad to have found your channel. This is my topic for my Social Work Policy class and you have been very, very helpful. Keep up the good work.

[@DDavis-mi2cg]

Excellent presentation of what I felt in the workplace by primarily one person.

[@egncrs9549]

Thank you very much for doing this work. Bullies in general must be held accountable for their misconduct.

[@999timepass]

Thank you very much Sherry !! yes, i will fight back and help others as well....Sorry I saw your message just today.

[@jg8147]

thank you so much for your work 🙏

[@auntstacey123]

Just got demoted about 3 weeks ago due to a campaign carried out by a bully at my workplace. I had gotten a great job performance review a month ago & couldn't figure out why this happened. I found out this campaign was started by this person about a yr and a half ago when I was still unaware. A coworker told me today she thought it happened because I had great "connections and camaraderie" with others & she thought this bully employee resented that. Funny, I never thought of myself that way.

[@noella50881]

I was bullied throughout Elementary school, half of middle school until my family and I moved. Then when I started working, people began bullying me for being different, strong, emotional, and of course, having a disability that went un-diagnosed for such a long time. The recent job I had was a total nightmare. I was bullied by two nurses and a director of nursing. No matter how much I tried to prove to them, they didn't give a care about the good, they pointed out my weaknesses all too much.

[@toong6412]

I too work in a hospital and unlike the individuals who have commentted on this site. I have a gang of women who have choosen to dislike me. There making my life so difficult and it is taking a really toll on me. Everyday before work i pray that they dont mess with my work and just leave me alone... This site has given me hope and strength to see that im not lossing my mind but that it does exsit... thank you

[@ocdgirl2000]

I 'm in tears just listening to this..Thank You!

[@UrbanCharterSchool]

Dr.s Namie, I love you for your hard work and personal sacrifice. You have truly ignited a spark to get real justice for myself. SPEAKING OUT is the most cleansing form of healing... YOU TWO, Pam, Carrie have turned me in the right direction for my health. I will do everything to promote the Bill here in Idaho, because it feels so good to be doing something!

[@MB-qz7xb]

Dr Namie, thanks fro what you are doing please keep this great work. because u r fighting for us.

[@AnaThaLight]

Great work!!! We need your help at my job... Just so folks can see that what they are doing has a name and that people don't have to take it! Thanks for providing the education.

[@justvloggingyoutube3241]

I have bought this Book and it helps me a lot, thank you.

[@TayBleezy]

Your work is SO meaningful and helps so many people. I’d say you’ve probably even saved a few lives from your videos. Thank you for this message.

[@ronaldbauerlmft7278]

I have started a blog Bullying in the Workplace and will be getting back to it soon

[@youdontknowme2325]

Sir, I find it notable how accurate you are with that assessment.

[@kattyoi7742]

Thanks for your videos! This explains the macheviallini at work. She gets her....e'hem... male coworker to do her evil bidding... I've walked in on her several times when she was having a full blown conversation with herself when no one else was in the office. Crazy bitch.

[@supersman2000]

Awesome! Thanks you have no idea how many people this helps

[@burnindownthehouse]

In a mixed martial arts fight, the best thing you can do is bully your opponent around the octagon (or ring) for the whole fight. But often workplace bullying does not take place in a fighting ring. In fact, I don't think I ever saw two workers do an organized fight in a ring. That might actually solve some workplace bullying. Have the two people do a mixed martial arts fight in an octagon. Like, if you work at a lab and someone laughs at your lab coat, you could fight them in an octagon.

[@karencampbell2410]

Happened to me so I know exactly what you are saying. I started reading books on character disorders because this was something that was out of what I would call ‘in the normal range’. Ended up resigning, put on weight and generally became unhealthy.

[@deviantbookworm5826]

Good on you. I'm fighting back too, and I survived my suicidal depression. We are targeted BECAUSE we are kind hearted people. The struggle is to not give up on ourselves. I'm not religious but I"m going to be thinking in a prayer like way for you. It's been nearly two years since i quit the job I was bullied at and I'm still fighting, but I will win :-) *big hug*

[@Barbarian646]

Fantastic video - Im glad you are posting stuff like this.

[@melissa0170]

I am currently going through this process. I cannot be silenced anymore. Teachers worldwide are being targeted, especially in New Zealand. This has to stop. We are losing thousands of teachers who are subjected to this behaviour. It is catastrophic for future generations who won't have teachers to educate them because they have left the field.

[@OfftoShambala]

i'm so sorry to hear that you had such far reaching effects from this problem, my deepest empathy

[@atvtrailriders]

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON!

[@leonasears]

Excellent!

[@TM-10-py7ji]

I experienced this at one of my jobs and I left. Moved back to the same town at another business and there was one of the bullies spreading lies at the new place.

[@Mr.haplogroupLfromArabland]

God bless you and thank you for the vid

[@clydethrift4817]

As a Scheduling Coordinator for over 200 Direct-Care employees one of my tasks is calling work areas to see who is interested in extending their shift due to morning staff shortage. The procedure goes that first initial contact is made to see who is interested, then if all the positions are not filled a supervisor checks to see who needs to fulfill overtime requirements. Once a person or persons are decided upon it is then my task to call them and let them know that the supervisor is requesting that they help out until additional support-staff can be found. The situation is, that often I am not even able to deliver a message or even make the initial request because staff interrupt, become rude, make challenging statements, or comments that are non-productive, or simply hang up. Then when I attempt to report the unprofessional behavior either nothing is done about it, or it is said that I did not handle the situation well. In most instances the person chosen to stay can often get out of staying by simply calling the supervisor and explaining why they are not able to stay and then another person is chosen and the whole rodeo starts all over. Also, on occasion staff do not even need to stay past their shift because support staff come in and fill the shortage allowing night staff to go home. There is also the option as a last resort of the supervisor choosing with permission of management to run an area short for a few hours during down-times. In one instance, I even had a staff call me from her work area, holler at me, for what I had no idea, hang up, then call back and apologize and said she only did it because the other shift was there, then she expected for us to be "friends". I was like, are you kidding? Her only interest was in playing "Kick the Coordinator" in front of her peers on one side of the fence and then try to cozy-up on the other side for her own benefit. I believe the staff bully, but so do management for allowing it to continue.

[@TheMoll7]

I worked as a nurse in a hospital, in all my life I have never seen such cruelty, one sister of the unit actually said ' now who's life should we destroy today ' !!!!!!!! I eventually left, this site is good, thankyou. To N.H, A V, W S, you know who you are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ORANGESNOWFLAKE84]

I am a top performer, there is nothing to critize about my measurablet performance. And my boss is a bully, she twist the rights to wrong, she team up with my direct to intimidate me and watch me every move.... it was hell I suffered depression, thought of suicide and anxiety disorder.... I complained, and now she is retaliating... after 12 months, she still there looking good from the top management. .. she got the support of her boss, and this kind of behavior will not stop.....

[@citizenOfNowhere777]

Psychological violence

[@TheWalrusWasDanny]

Am right behind you Gary!! Right behind you!! Danny

[@martinlykke2918]

The bully doesn't like anyone they see as weak. Someone with morals, ethics or a conscience they make them look bad. Much like a person who goes to a bar and doesn't get drunk.

[@PersonWConscience]

Weak? You got it backward. They don't like those who are STRONG without having to stoop low.

[@pavanatanaya]

When his targets finally leave, they turn on other workers

[@mtunpleasant]

I reckon this is where ex Life Coaches, NLP practitioners, Hypnotherapists and Shaklee Product promoters go to upskill - to WBI for 3 intensive, immersive days with self-promoters Drs. Gary & Ruth Namie. Add the name 'institute' to one's sole endeavor and establish a KZbin channel and you too can be in business: merch, seminars, business consulting, all income streams. If any doubt is expressed about the 'institute's' bona fides then, obviously, the skeptic is nothing but a bully her or his self. A growth industry until the next thing comes along.

[@tomblewomble3369]

mtunpleasant NLP and Hypnotherapy are both pseudoscienctific, snake oil nonsense. I'm not sure what this has in common with either, beyond the fact that they charge for their services.

[@1948DESMOND]

finally, thanks very, very much to you all for sharing your thoughts on this subject. politicians seem to feel t hey have a DIVINE right to lord it over us. and this is passed onto Joe Public in his place of work. DES, APRIL, 2012.

[@TacoMexxx]

Watching thid video gavr me relief

[@sl4983]

Worker's Compensation - Stress and psychological injury! (I got that when I called the Work Comp Board :)

[@SweetUniverse]

Yes - document everything that is said and done to you

[@stevenmartinellimusic]

Bring the mediators in!......I fell for that when I worked for the state.

[@BuffyKNC]

definitely accurate!

[@bushrawaqar8740]

Thank you so much. Recently got mobbed at a University as the qualified and senior member in the department. "Bullying is psychological/emotional violence ".

[@tinaspencer4243]

This is sooo true

[@bbooz]

this is happening to me everyday at kellers Creamery .. Harleysville pa.

[@jhankri]

Before I became aware of bullying in the workplace, I discovered the term mobbing which I think is basically what happened to me. Does your organization deal with this topic also? I am so happy to see your organization with so much good info. I wish I had found it sooner. I search high and low, consulted the labor department and attorneys etc., but it was useless.

[@MrFaisel34]

Thank you Dr. Namie for explaining exactly what workplace bullying entails. I really believe the officials at the University of Pennsylvania either don't know or don't care. At any rate, my friends situation is unique insofar as he no longer works under the two psychopath(s). The main psychopath used university resources and government funds to target an ex-employee. Talk about chutzpah.

[@bluebottle1617]

For all those employers who bully employees or ignore bullying, please note - an employment tribunal in the UK has recently awarded £4.1m (US$6,425,725) against an employer who engaged in bullying of an employee and allowed others to bully the same employee. Two employees involved have been ordered to pay heavy damages as well as the employer. Be warned. The victims of bullying are fighting back. And the cost of bullying is high - very high.

[@sherryhoward663]

Sometimes, it's their self-esteem/self-worth. Feeling like a big person is important to them so they drag others into their horrible little lives even if they don't want to be. I haven't been bullied that much through life but, I have been disgarded in many instances. Most bullies get attention (people admire them from fear), and that's the sad thing. While people jump on board they will continue to maintain power over others. If people stopped admiring them they would lose power.

[@deviantbookworm5826]

I did too. But people still don't understand. I actually have PTSD and social anxiety now. The thought of working around women in particular terrifies me. I feel lonely, horrible about myself and I am pretty poor now because I just can't work. I tried to work again and had panic attacks when people were antagonist towards me. I can't cope. I wish this guy could give me a hug, because he might actually understand. I was "crushed" it was pinpoint destruction :-(

[@bossalucard8162]

i wish my company could do a workshop with you, we have so much bullying going on at a management level

[@SuperNeutronX]

Absolute Correct!

[@willowmadhuridixit8991]

I put up with this for years in a workplace. It’s drove me to a suicide attempt and serious depression.

[@user-qv7vi2ls6j]

Bullying is a health hazzard period!

[@Musicnyc777]

Not inclined to volunteer again and do not feel nonprofits are so "kind" per se. There are abusive people in all settings even though a setting seems to be benign because of the "good work shell." I feel like sending this to a bully boss.....but feel she will not change and I do not care, I will move on.....getting another experience somewhere else. Nearing 60 and find my competence and education will intimidate many who I surpass I depend on these insecure people to hire me. Hard to find work in this world today, wanting to do good work and to improve an organization.

[@DarkProf1]

I had a job back in the early 2000s where the owner/boss of the company used to deal with problems by running around and yelling at every single person in the office, whether they had anything to do with it or not. Most would cringe and cower when she came at them. My first supervisor used to yell back, which only egged her on. One day she came after me, and I looked her dead in the eye and said "I'm sorry, but I don't let other adults yell at me unless my husband and i are having an argument..

[@UniqueSpectrum]

There is a correlation between bullies whether it's Work Place unethical treatment, Discriminations, and/ or Hate Crimes. Most importantly these adult bullies were once childhood school bullies that just simply got away with it so I agree BULLYING is a real problem in America! that requires an immediate resolution such as Anti-bullying laws, penalties, and victim protection.

[@emiranda8728]

very true

[@cokerainbows]

Hope you take that further, im also being bullied

[@cokerainbows]

What kind of things did they do to you? im trying to figure out whether what im going through is mild or a bit worse...thanks! :)

[@ZealousLady]

Wow bang on