WORKPLACE BULLYING: The Elephant In The Room

I don't generally make blog posts about social topics because I figure you are inundated by that sort of stuff constantly. Videos online, social media, family, friends, co-workers - really anyone you might come in contact with on a daily basis could potentially start a discussion about social issues. So I will keep this short and sweet. I want to discuss the topic of workplace bullying, but I want to focus on a group that is not often talked about in this light: men. 

Just because bullying against men in the workplace is not talked about very often does not mean it's non-existent. But men are indoctrinated from a very young age to "suck it up", "be a man", "it's just a joke" and the ever-popular "stop acting like a woman". There seems to be very little recourse for men who are being harassed or bullied, whether in the workplace or elsewhere. But since we spend so much of our awake-time at work, I would like to focus on that. That, and a situation was brought to my attention recently that addresses the problem very well. (Note: Although the essence of this account is true, all identifying details have been changed to protect the man in question.)

Todd, 28, has a good job that pays very well. Some of the guys at work laugh and joke sometimes, but that 's the way guys are, always "ribbing" each other. Isn't it? Todd generally keeps to himself at work and doesn't join in on most of the teasing. But one day, Todd had an accident at work and hurt himself badly enough that his supervisor had to leave work and drive Todd to the hospital. Luckily, there was nothing seriously wrong, and Todd was able to return to work for his next shift.

Instead of showing concern for Todd's well-being when he returned, his co-workers came up with silly nicknames for him, making him relive the event all over again. And although the accident itself (and the ensuing hospital trip) was far from pleasant, the reactions of the people he worked with were much worse. He had never attacked them in this way, and he couldn't understand why they refused to let it go.

Todd did not discuss what was happening at work with his family. He did not want to have to deal with it for one more minute than he had to. One week after the incident , they still showed no signs of stopping. Todd mentioned the bullying in passing to his family, but they did not know what to do to help him. He was told to put in a complaint, but what would happen next? Would it not get worse when his co-workers realized he complained?

And that brings Todd's situation to the present. It's a sad thing that men don't feel they can speak out about bullying without risking further attacks. Yes, women are also bullied. But there is no stigma attached to women implying that if they speak out, they are less of a person, less of an adult. Todd did not ask for any of this. And all he wants is for the punishment to stop.