Workplace Bullying & Violence Prevention

Case Study: A government employee contacted an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) member for advice on dealing with her senior coworker who often shouted and made demeaning remarks to female employees. For example, when female employees would ask him for advice on a topic in his area of expertise, he would tell them to use their common sense. When they completed their work on their own, he would speak loudly about how they had done the work the wrong way. When the employee spoke with her supervisor, she was told not to make a mountain out of a molehill.

The EAP counselor was able to help the employee recognize that allowing herself to be brushed off and ignoring the problem was worsening the situation. The counselor helped her explore skills to address the situation, including using firm and friendly "I statements" such as, "I don't like shouting. Please lower your voice." After using these new skills, the senior coworker's behavior improved when interacting with that female employee but not when interacting with the others.

When all of the female employees in the office met with the EAP counselor to practice assertiveness skills, the situation improved. However, it took a meeting between the EAP counselor and the supervisor, a written reprimand, a short suspension, and several counseling sessions before the senior coworker ceased his disruptive behavior.