Mobbing : Emotional Abuse in the American Workplace

Acknowledgments 3(11) Authors' Note 14(2) Foreword 16(3) Dr. Heinz Leymann Introduction Driven Beyond Endurance: Three Cases 19(1) Mobbing, Bullying and Harassment--A Brief History of the Research 20(3) The U.S. and Canada 23(2) Extent of Mobbing 25(1) What Is Being Done About It in Europe 26(2) Our Interview Partners 28(6) PART I What Mobbing Is and How It Happens Aggression Against ``Anyone'': Workplace Expulsion 34(1) Injury Not Illness 34(1) Mobbing Typology 34(4) Mobbing as a Process 38(1) Degrees of Mobbing 39(1) The Mobbing Syndrome 40(1) Ten Key Factors 41(14) Conclusion 55(3) Why Mobbing Occurs and Persists The Psychology and Circumstances of the Mobbers 58(7) Evil Personality 59(1) Divine Right 59(1) Threatened Egotism, Inflated Self-Appraisal 60(1) Narcissistic Personality 61(2) Why Do Mobbers Seldom Come Alone? 63(1) Why Does the Mobbing Continue Even After Resignation or Expulsion? 64(1) The Organizational Culture and Structure 65(5) Bad Management 66(1) Stress-Intensive Workplace 67(1) Monotony 67(1) Disbelief or Denial by Managers 67(1) Unethical Activities 68(1) Flat Organizations 68(1) Downsizing, Restructuring, Mergers 69(1) Psychology, Personality and Circumstances of the Mobbee 70(5) Why Me? 71(1) The Dynamics of the Interaction 72(1) Coping and Outcome Determined by Beliefs 73(2) The Triggering Event---A Conflict 75(1) Factors Outside of the Organization: Values and Norms in the American Culture 75(7) Disposable Workers 76(1) ``Emotional Labor'' 76(6) PART II How Mobbing Affects You A Strong Commitment to the Job 82(1) Feeling Confused, Isolated and Paranoid 83(2) ``Difficult'' Becomes Re-Victimization 85(1) Persistent Attacks 86(1) Help is Out of Reach 87(1) Compounding Factors 88(1) Degrees of Mobbing and the Effects on Your Health 89(4) First Degree Mobbing 89(1) Second Degree Mobbing 90(1) Third Degree Mobbing 91(2) Symptoms of Prolonged Anxiety 93(1) Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 94(4) How You Can Cope Grieving 98(2) Reaction vs. Response---Do Not Assume that You Have No Power 100(1) Options 101(4) Survival Strategies 105(2) Do Not Isolate Yourself 107(1) Build Your Self-Esteem 107(1) Deal with Anger, Loss and Betrayal 108(1) Writing 108(1) Create Quiet Time 108(1) Private Screaming 109(1) Movement 109(1) Things You Love 109(1) Keep a Sense of Perspective 110(1) The Power of Humor 111(1) Choose Professional Help Very Cautiously 112(1) Considerations for Legal Recoruse 112(3) Concerns that May Keep You from Taking Legal Action 113(1) Considerations that May Lead You to Decide to Take Legal Action 114(1) Simply Put---Begin! 114(1) A Word of Caution 114(1) Mediated Settlement: A Good Option? 115(1) Remember the Possibilities 115(1) Recovering and Moving Forward 116(4) Family and Friends, How They Are Affected, How They Can Help What Is Happening? 120(1) Not the Usual Self 121(2) Early Warning Signs---Changes in Behaviors 123(1) The Difficulty of Communicating and Giving Support 123(3) Affirmation Is the Key 126(1) The Helping Art of Being There 126(6) PART III How Mobbing Affects the Organization---Impact and Prevention, the Bottom Line All Types of Organizations 132(1) Warning Signals 132(6) Significant Changes Without Preparing Employees 132(1) One Individual Has Suddenly Become A Target 132(2) Alliances Across the Hierarchy 134(1) ``Anarchy'' 135(1) Use of Consultants 136(2) A House of Cards 138(3) Reduction in Quality and Quantity of Work 139(1) Loss of Organization's Reputation 140(1) Increased Employee Turnover 140(1) Increased Sick Leave 140(1) Unemployment Insurance Claims 140(1) Workers' Compensation 141(1) Litigation or Settlement 141(1) Prevention 141(5) Giving It a Name---Creating Awareness 143(1) Education and Training 143(1) Establishing an Anti-Mobbing Policy 143(2) Risk Assessment 145(1) Conflict Management Procedures 145(1) Systems that Already Exist and Good Examples Swedish National Board of Occupational Safety and Health---A Psychologically Safe Environment 146(2) Levi Strauss & Co.---A Proactive Approach 148(4) Saturn Corporation---Respecting All Employees 152(1) Intervention Disciplinary Actions and/or Discharge for Severe Misconduct 153(1) Rehabilitation 154(1) In Conclusion---The Bottom Line 154(4) PART IV The Challenge of Conflict Resolution In the Beginning Is a Conflict 158(3) A Clash of Values and Personalities 161(1) Understanding Conflicts 162(2) Ways of Handling Conflicts--You Have Choices 164(3) Possible Solutions for Organizations 167(6) Mobbing and the Law Present Rights and Statutes 173(1) Civil Rights Legislation 174(1) Hostile Environment 175(1) Voluntary Resignation or Constructive Discharge? 176(1) Retaliatory Discharge---Protection to File a Claim 176(1) Torts Relating to Acts of Mobbing 176(2) Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress 177(1) Defamation---Libel/Slander Statements 178(1) The At-Will Doctrine, Contracts, and Public Policy 178(3) Employment---At-Will Rule 179(1) Wrongful Discharge in Violation of Public Policy 180(1) Workers' Compensation---Non-Traumatic Mental Injuries (Mental-Mental) 181(1) Workplace Protection Statutes Occupational Safety and Health Act---OSHA 182(1) Procedural Considerations 183(1) Timing---When Should You File Your Claim? 183(1) Individual Liability vs. Employer Liability 183(1) Payment of Damages 183(1) Appeal to Lawmakers 184(7) Acting on Awareness Research---Building a Foundation for Action 191(1) The Media---Building Awareness 191(1) Health Care Services---A Key 192(1) Help-Hotlines in the Community---First Responders 192(1) Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's)---A Crucial Role and a Word of Caution 192(1) Health Insurance Companies---Sounding the Alarm 193(1) Unions---Another Key 194(1) State and Federal Workforce Agencies---Enforcing Laws 194(1) Educators---Teaching Respectful Conduct and Conflict Resolution 195(1) Organizational Consultants and Trainers---At the Forefront 196(1) Legal Community---Being Better Prepared 196(5) Epilogue 201(3) Bibliography 204(5) Index 209(4) Authors, Illustrator, Designers 213