What Is Verbal Abuse in the Workplace?
Verbal abuse in the workplace is an illegal act that violates federal employment law. Employers who engage in this behavior attack their employees, making them feel incompetent and causing real, albeit invisible, emotional and psychological damage. These effects can continue long after the abusive behavior has been stopped.
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Definition
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Verbal abuse is a pattern of words, remarks or comments that emotionally and mentally isolate a person in the workplace. The abuser picks and chooses her times carefully so she her acts go undetected.
Examples
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"I wouldn't let this piece of tripe leave the office--it's badly written and an embarrassment to our profession." (Actual words used by an abusive supervisor.) These are the weapons an verbal abuser uses to make his victim feel bad and as if the victim is in the wrong. (See "Verbal Abuse in the Workplace" below in Resources.)
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The Abuser's Psyche
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According to Cathy Hart, RN, CNM, MS, the verbal abuser, often a supervisor or manager, acts the way she does because she has low-self esteem. (See "Verbal Abuse in the Workplace" below in Resources.)
Relationship Dynamics
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The abuser works to put himself in a position "over" his victim. Because this is done covertly and insidiously, the victim has no witnesses to prove what is happening--and may even be blamed by co-workers. (See "Verbal Abuse in the Workplace" below in Resources.)
The Law
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A human resources office or manager can help if you are being verbally abused at work. You can also contact the EEOC or an attorney who specializes in workplace law. What your supervisor is doing is against the law. (See "Verbal Abuse in the Workplace" below in Resources.)
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Resources
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Comments
View all 6 Comments-
it needs to stop.
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He knows who he is.
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Dima Todorova
Jan 13, 2011
Hi, I have a question about a situation in my workplace. I am working in a restaurant, where the cheff is very arrogant with everybody else including the manager(owner) sometimes. Ussually he is talking about the staff (how stuped they are) behind your back with other staff members, but also often in your face and he uses always very rude language and humiliating tone. he is doing this especially when we are on a busy night and this can be very depressing and frustraiting. I had many conversations with my manager. I even try to quit, because I coudn't take it anymore. But I'm importaint with my work for the restaurant, so my boss convinced me to stay and talk to the cheff about his behaviour. What happend was, he spopped talking to me for at least a month, ignoring me. Then he start trying to be polite sometimes, but still never really gave me the respect as a human being and... -
Dima Todorova
Jan 13, 2011
I am working in a restaurant, where the cheff is very arrogant with everybody else including the manager(owner) sometimes. Ussually he is talking about the staff (how stuped they are) behind your back with other staff members, but also often in your face and he uses always very rude language and humiliating tone. he is doing this especially when we are on a busy night and this can be very depressing and frustraiting. I had many conversations with my manager. I even try to quit, because I coudn't take it anymore. But I'm importaint with my work for the restaurant, so my boss convinced me to stay and talk to the cheff about his behaviour. What happend was, he spopped talking to me for at least a month, ignoring me. Then he start trying to be polite sometimes, but still never really gave me the respect as a human being and co-worker. I have to be carefull always what I'm saying and how...
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beegee1389
Sep 13, 2010
I just received a call from my boss reagrding a return that was done at my work. A customer had returned 2 manzanita trees and refunder them cash. The problem with the return was that it was done under my employee code/number. The thing about that is that everyone in my workplace know my lig in code and password because with out it they cant check pricing, inventory, or ring up anyone. Apparentley no one is fessing up to who did it. But my problem im having is that my boss called me at my other work place yellign at me over the phone expecting an answer and blaming me, he informed me that he was going to withhold my last check. I told him that I didnt do it and he needs to check cameras to see who was at the register. Can he do that? Yell at me, accuse me, and with hold my check?
