bulliedatworknetwork

Never will forget!!!!!!

2013-03-02T21:04:00.000-05:00

Revealed

2012-11-24T03:19:00.000-05:00

I was reading back through the blogs I have written and was able to demonstrate the bullying bosses pattern of bullying. This was achieved by taking the research written on the subject and interjecting my own personal experience with a bully. There are many experts on the subject of bullying, who studied patterns and psychological traits. I was in search of understanding this epidemic and educating myself on the parallels of my story and research.

I will always be perplexed by the people who continue to encourage and/or support a bullies pattern, especially after the parallels have been confirmed.

A bully response in a specific way when revealed. The website bully online explains it perfectly:

"Serial bullies harbour a particular hatred of anyone who can articulate their behaviour profile, either verbally or in writing - as on this page - in a manner which helps other people see through their deception and their mask of deceit. The usual instinctive response is to launch a bitter personal attack on the person's credentials, lack of qualifications, and right to talk about personality disorders, psychopathic personality etc, whilst preserving their right to talk about anything they choose - all the while adding nothing to the debate themselves."

"Serial bullies hate to see themselves and their behaviour reflected as if they are looking into a mirror." http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm#Denial

The pattern is clear. If you are someone who is involved with a bully and their pattern is revealed, you have a choice to continue to listen to their gossip and lies. Trust me, if you are starting to question the bully's reactions and are walking away with a gut feeling...do not ignore it, it is your warning. As I have said before, if you think for one second as the bully is talking about me or someone else, trust me they have and are talking about you. If you stop and reflect with an open mind, you will piece things all together.

If the light bulb goes on in your head, as it did in mind, you will distance yourself or put up some walls away from the bully. Sadly, once a bully always a bully and revealing a bully's true colors, well you already know what that entails. Just remember a young child, a brownie/cub scout leader, a wife/husband, your child, your mother/father or YOU will be attacked.

What will you choose to do?

Interesting website reading

2012-11-22T23:00:00.001-05:00

The following is from the website, http://www.bullyfreeliving.com/

What bullies don't want you to know...

"If a victim fights back the bully will say, "See, they're the real bullies.
We are the real victim."

"Bullies often will lie about what they have done and are doing. A bully will deny it or claim they are the 'real' victim. Be ready for this to happen. Don't let their lies affect you."

"Bullies will often find a sidekick - a person or group- they will 'use' for their own gain. In their path there are often many individuals they have manipulated and 'used."

"Bullies are very convincing story tellers often gaining sympathy and 'assistants' who help them bully. Rest assured, bullies will 'use' these people then turn on them. Often their sidekick is terrified of being the next victim."

"In cases we have seen bullies tell bold-faced lies to the police when questioned. Even after they are caught in the lie, they never told the truth."
"Bullies are likely to be narcissists never taking responsibility for their actions. Never."

Horrible nightmare...

2012-05-01T08:25:00.002-04:00

I have not written in a while. I have had so much on my plate and the bullying boss, I thought was a distant memory. Unfortunately, the bullying boss creeped into my dreams last night. As I have written previously, I have a sick spouse. My spouse has been sick for a while and now has been hospitalized for almost 4 months. Each day is another day, each hour brings another change. Yesterday was the first day my spouse expressed worry about not making it and concern for our families well-being...it brought me to tears.

A bully has long lasting affects on your well-being even long after you believe those issues are resolved. Waking up this morning after having a dream in which the bullying boss reappeared brought back so much pain. I recall stating in emails to the bullying boss to please stop what was happening and that I needed my job. I needed my job for all the obvious reasons but especially because of my spouses health. I needed the security and stability financially.

The bullying boss made a comment about a co-worker. The bullying boss talked many times about getting rid of this person but had decided this was not an option because the co-workers spouse was in a wheelchair. Of course, this was a visual others could see and therefore, could not act on his/her wishes. I believe it would of shown the true heart of the bullying boss to people. I guess my spouse was safe game because his sickness at the time did not show so outwardly.

There were so many conversations with the bullying boss about my worries about having a job throughout the years I was employed at his/her company. A bully does keep haunting your dreams....my fears have come true in regards to my spouses illness. The situation is worse then being in a wheelchair, my spouse is fighting for his/her life. The bullying boss should understand the results of their actions having lasting stress. The act of the bullying was wrong and the firing was unjustified. You did me and my family wrong.

In my dream I was able to tell you to your face all that I feel and think of you! Maybe someday I will have the opportunity but then again it would not matter...I do not believe you will ever reflect on your actions and the deep impact of what you did on a another human being.

Deep is where my thoughts go

2012-01-05T02:38:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I wrote. I have been writing this blog for nearly 6 months and am amazed that I have had nearly 1,000 page views. I thank each of you for reading my story and have enjoyed reading other blogs about work place bullying. It is time this blog takes a little different spin.

The past month or so has been busy with work, family and the holidays. My family dealt with a death, illness and change in employment. The year ended with a short vacation to the west coast where I was able to visit the ocean. As I get older, I realize the reasons why I love the ocean and the completeness of my soul near it. The ocean puts everything in perspective, it makes me forget about my worries, allows me to breath in my joys and makes me realize its massive powers. I am still in awe of the oceans beauty, of the waves flowing back and forth on the sand, the white waves crashing up against the rocks and the birds floating freely without a care in the world. The ocean is my excitement, it fills me with energy!

I was able to sit for a while and think, think about the many changes in my life over the past year, over the past 5 years. I have had many achievements, many highs and some lows. Through it all, some things remained constant and true...my spouse, my parents and my children. No matter where life took me I remained positive, humbled and ethical. I have stayed true to my one motto, "at the end of the day, I need to be able to look myself in the mirror and lay my head down on my pillow knowing my heart was in the right places". This is not to say I am perfect and have made mistakes along the way...the difference is that I have not had a vindictive heart or set out to intentionally hurt anyone. I am confident of this!

Except when I am reminded of the bullying boss and the residual effects left on my spirit. The truth be told, the bullying boss has been a visitor to this blog and has confessed this is about him/her. I have been reluctant to write about my deep thoughts and the effects someone like this leaves on your spirit...the fear of the bullying boss getting satisfaction out of the pain caused to my life by his/her hand. Well, it does not matter any longer because the damage is done and I believe eventually what you give out to the universe will come back at you ten fold---karma happens but most importantly the bullying boss will have to explain his/her actions to God (and God knows what evil was in your heart).

As I continued to sit by the ocean thinking about life, I realized I shared less of my personal life with others over the past year. I did not share much of my worries about my sick spouse or how afraid I am to ever lose the person that has made my life complete. Sadly, the bullying boss knew my fears, worries and concerns about not being able to provide for myself if something ever happened to my spouse. The bullying boss knew how much I needed my job, my financial worries and my concern for security with employment. The bullying boss tried to use these fears to get me to beg, no plead for mercy at all costs. I kept believing during the four months of bullying, the bullying boss would stop and eventually get a heart---I was wrong, I was so wrong. I guess even in light of the devil standing at my door, I continued to believe it would all work out and "this to shall pass". It was the positive stinking thinking I seemed to try to bring into my heart and soul. The ironic thing is that I actively searched for other employment and was offered a job but turned it down believing the bullying would stop.

Instead, I learned positive thinking does not always prevail. Working hard and caring about people does not always secure your employment. Being humble and grounded means nothing in the big spectrum of life. And sadly, I learned people are vicious and do not care about your worries. It is about playing the game (with the game master), whether you are a hard working employee or a lazy manipulative employee, it does not matter to someone like the bullying boss or anybody who is a bully. It is all about the power you have over others. The workplace has turned into an ego building place. Its not about your credentials, work ethics or hard work. This is reality!

And the question becomes how to play the game without giving up your soul, self-esteem, your self-respect????? I am not sure I uncovered the answers to this question. I do know my life is forever changed and my level of trust toward people has diminished greatly. My worries and fears remain the same.

My reality, the job I took over the past year was wonderful (honestly, the most fulfilling I have ever had) and the hope was for it to last long with possible future opportunities. Unfortunately, this does not seem likely (a part of me is hopeful).

I have a spouse that is sick and currently in the hospital waiting to have surgery. Our lives have changed drastically over the past 4 or 5 years. We have suffered highs and lows. My stress remains high and it is harder to find the spirit I use to have deep in my soul. Looking for the positive side of things. I am less optimistic and more pessimistic.

As you read this bullying boss, I understand you can never empathize with the effect you left on my life. My worries remain the same today as it did when I kept reminding you I needed my job, I needed to have security in employment and my spouse did not need added stress. You knew all of the deep thoughts I had and was feeling. You will probably find humor in all this and gain some energy, its fine...I choose to freely give this moment to you.

For others reading this blog, bullying effects people's lives during the bullying and long after. Bullying has residual effects on a persons spirit, health and outlook toward the world. This is a reality! If you are a bully and find no empathy in this blog, I feel sorry for your heart and soul. If you are affected by the blog, there is hope for your heart and soul. And if you are being bullied or have experienced bullying and can relate to the residual effects, the scars...you are not alone!

Survivor

Powerful YouTube Video

2011-12-04T17:36:00.001-05:00

This is very powerful! A young man who has been bullied and the pain it is causing him. Whether you are being bullied in school or in the workplace, bullying leaves deep scars and changes you forever. To schoolyard bullies and workplace bullies, you need to STOP your hurtful ways. If you are reading my blog and have your own blog, please share this and get the word out.

In response to this YouTube video:

This is also so very powerful! There are many others responding to support Jonah Mowry.

I was just telling someone the other day, I have moved on but my life has changed after experiencing workplace bullying. Bullying is not a joke, its very very real and anyone choosing to do nothing to stand up to it, is only being a part of this epidemic. You are no better then the bully!

We can make a difference in the life of a person being bullied. Yes, you might be scared but it is no longer an excuse for not taking a stand! STOP BULLYING!!!!

Survivor

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T23:44:00.001-05:00

The night before Thanksgiving, Tommy Turkey is ready to be cooked, the traditional green bean casserole, sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce is prepared.

To be thankful for the blessings of my spouse, my children, family and "true" friends. The past year has been a roller coaster, the roller coaster started off at a low and is ending on a high. It is true what they say, life only gives you what you can handle and everything happens for a reason. I concur on both!

Throughout my life I have always strived to develop self-awareness. To understand and develop clear healthy boundaries with others in my life. This is not to say that this is always perfect when dealing with life and sometimes I have become comfortable...allowing people to cross over my healthy boundaries into unhealthy boundaries for myself. The past year has reminded me to continue to listen to that voice of intellect and reason, to be self-aware of the healthy boundaries.

I continue to be trusting of others but when I see warning signs along the way, I do not dismiss them. Instead, when a situation does not feel right, to pay attention, reflect and re-evaluate.

Getting rid of drama in my life, not just talking about it but actually making a conscious effort to reflect and re-evaluate...then make a decision based on my healthy boundaries.

"Healthy boundaries create healthy relationships. Unhealthy boundaries create dysfunctional ones. By establishing clear boundaries, we define ourselves in relation to others. To do this, however, we must be able to identify and respect our needs, feelings, opinions, and rights. Otherwise our efforts would be like putting a fence around a yard without knowing the property lines"

"Those with healthy boundaries are firm but flexible. They give support and accept it. They respect their feelings, needs, opinions, and rights, and those of others, but are clear about their separateness. They are responsible for their own happiness and allow others to be responsible for their happiness. They are assertive and respectful of the rights of others to be assertive. They are able to negotiate and compromise, have empathy for others, are able to make mistakes without damaging their self-esteem, and have an internal sense of personal identity. They respect diversity. Those with healthy boundaries are comfortable with themselves, and make others comfortable around them. They live in houses with fences and gates that allow access only to those who respect their boundaries" (http://serenityonlinetherapy.com/healthyboundaries.htm).

In reflecting, my healthy boundaries can no longer tolerate disrespectfulness. At the same time, there are no hard feelings or argument, instead acceptance. The gate around the house is not a swinging door. Can the gate ever be open? I think in certain circumstances but in regard to someone like the bullying boss, those gates will forever be closed. Why you may ask?

The bullying boss set out with his/her plot and lies with the intention to destroy me at all cost.

Forgiveness, I have pondered what this truly means in regards to the bullying boss. I can say forgiveness is not forgetting the pain caused but moving forward, letting go of the anger and not allowing them to hurt us. Forgiveness is not about being friendly to the person that has done us wrong or allowing them back into our lives. It is in talking about and healing from the experience.

I am thankful for people placed in my life. My true friends that have lasted an entire life time, some I talk to a few times a week and others a few times a month but always being able to leave off where we were and trusting completely and unconditionally. Parents that I can count on without any question and love me unconditionally. A spouse that loves me unconditionally, laughs at my dumb jokes and never complains about his/her suffering with his/her illness, instead appreciates all that he/she has and my children that smile each day and know happiness and have good health (and who make me proud each and everyday).

I wanted to thank everyone that has visited my blog, listened to my struggles, hopeful it has been educational and helpful.

I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving with all the blessings! Survivor

Leadership Not

2011-11-13T22:39:00.001-05:00

I just attended a seminar about re-energizing and re-focusing. The speaker was wonderful and gave some insightful perspective on dealing with life. It made me step back and realized a few things about my nightmare with the bullying boss and how unhealthy the climate was under the bullying boss.

If you are being bullied at work, on the playground or in your family keep in mind someone who is a good leader, good friend or good family member will display characteristics reflective of that.

"The disposition of the leaders becomes the disposition of the organization"~unknown

CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD LEADER

EMPOWERS

COMMUNICATES PHILOSOPHY AND VALUES

IS A STABILIZING INFLUENCE IN A CRISIS

CAN COMMUNICATE ANNOYANCE WITHOUT RUNNING WILD

MAKES PEOPLE FEEL CONFIDENT

HANDLES DISAGREEMENTS PRIVATELY

IS PATIENT

IS OPEN AND HONEST

INSPIRES LOYALTY

NEVER FLAUNTS AUTHORITY

WORKS AS HARD OR HARDER THAN ANYONE ELSE

LISTENS EXCEPTIONALLY WELL

SETS GOOD EXAMPLE

CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUE FRIEND

Honest and trustworthy: Can they keep a secret? A good friend doesn't gossip about you.

Good Listener: Do they listen to you or do they only talk about themselves?

Loyal

Available: Are they available when you need them?

Supportive: A true friend will never make you do something that goes against your moral or religious beliefs. They will not ask you to lie, steal or cheat, or to do drugs or alcohol.

http://www.life123.com/parenting/young-children/making-friends/how-to-spot-a-true-friend.shtml

The employer I was working for was functioning with a black cloud over its head. The characteristics above were not reflective in the organization under the bullying boss and his/her leadership skills were absent.

Here are some examples--The employees were always anticipating the mood the bullying boss would be in and who was next on his/her target list. I recall the whispers when the bullying boss was on one of his/her rants or in a motivational frenzy or anxiety mode or re-organizational mode or the family mode or the fun loving mode...you get the picture, the atmosphere was always changing and the employees were never sure who was walking in the door..thus your Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona. The office was different when he/she was not there and the employees liked the bullying boss being absent.

A leader sets the tone of others around them. If a leader is functioning with insecurity, anxiety and bullying behavior one moment and then happy go lucky, life is perfect functioning the next. This sends extremely mixed signals to others. Installing video cameras to sit at home and spy on your employees is an example of setting the tone. The employees believed their bullying boss did not respect them or trust them. What would be your response or feelings? I would have to say that most people learn to conform and may even do what they need to do to get by. Play the game!

The employees are well aware of the antics of the bullying boss and whispers behind his/her back. The Narcissist is about the mirror they see reflected in their false self. They see people as excited to see them and believe the responses are genuine. It is not the case. Instead, it is a response to surviving in a workplace that was very dysfunctional, filled with fear and uncertainty. The bullying boss gains a lot of Narcissistic Supply from others around him/her.

"Abuse is defined as the systematic pattern of behaviors in a relationship that are used to gain and/or maintain power and control over another" (http://www.mincava.umn.edu/documents/dap/img5.html).

The bullying boss fits the description of being a serial bully, having characteristics of Narcissistic Personality Disorder and attention seeking behavior-Proven.

The bullying boss is not a good leader because he/she does not possess the characteristics of a good leader or true friend. Everything is false and a distortion.

Survivor

Bully at work, bully at home

2011-11-11T20:32:00.001-05:00

A serial bully has no boundaries when it comes to targets, their bullying stops at no one. The bullying boss had an opinion on everything, remember no one was spared. "The serial bully at work is a serial bully at home and in the community", http://www.bullyonline.org/related/family.htm. If you are one of those lucky "friends" of the bullying boss, the serial bully...Do you wonder what has been said about you, what distortion and lies are spread about you? If after reading these blogs, researched what others have written on the subject and you still see the bullying boss through rose colored glasses then you have fallen right into the trap. The bullying boss needs Narcissistic Supply to maintain themselves which you are supplying.

I can honestly tell you there were very few people, if any, the bullying boss did not gossip about, have a negative take on their life or compared another's situation to how much of a better person the bullying boss was compared too so and so...I always try to be general about the bullying bosses gossipy ways and sensitive now knowing how twisted this person is. Some brief examples of the perception of others from the bullying boss:

It ranged from a co-worker having an affair while the sick spouse lived in the same house, a cousin who's parents should of invested in his/her teeth, a cousin who dressed for work to much like a slut and was a slut due to the many people he/she was with prior to marriage, a sister/brother who was not as attentive of a parent as the bullying boss and worked all the time while a babysitter took care of the children, a wife/husband who was useless, immature and abusive, an aunt who was financially "stupid" that spent all the money that was inherited, a co-workers sibling that was "haughty" but the bullying boss felt was also "stupid", a sister/brother-in-law that was lazy, did not care about the children, did not feel they were a good parent and was always going to the bar, a cousin's husband who he/she did not like, never did and never will, felt they were "useless", had a gambling problem and was "controlling", a co-worker who bankrupt spouses business because of "stupidity", a cousins children who ate to much and as a result was fat, a co-worker who needs to shower, a business associate who treated employee's terribly, but had a couple of houses and was selfish.

"Bullies are adept at distorting peoples' perceptions with intent to engender a negative view of their target in the minds of family members, neighbors, friends and people in positions of officialdom and authority; this is achieved through undermining, the creation of doubts and suspicions, and the sharing of false concerns, etc.

The bully may try to establish an exclusive relationship (based on apparent trust and confidence) with one family member such that they (the bully) are seen as the sole reliable source of information; this may be achieved by portraying the target (and certain other family members) as irresponsible, unstable, undependable, uncaring, unreliable and untrustworthy, perhaps by the constant highlighting - using distortion and fabrication - of alleged failures, breaches of trust, lack of reliability, etc. The process is reinforced by inclusion of the occasional piece of juicy gossip about the target's alleged misdemeanours or untrustworthiness in respect of relationships and communication with people. Mostly this is projection. The objective is to manipulate the family member's perceptions and create a dependency so that the family member comes to rely exclusively on the bully and see the bully as the sole source of reliable information whilst distrusting everyone else" http://www.bullyonline.org/related/family.htm.

Like I said, I listened to all these lies about the bullying bosses family members, friends and associates and would walk away thinking these people are really messed up. I have come to believe these were lies meant to distort my perception, along with others, to project a specific image of the bullying boss of being the only "normal", together person in the family or with any one else. The bullying boss was the rescuer, the person everyone needed and went to for help, the intelligent one of their family, amongst friends and associates and the one who was the "super" everything.

A serial bully projects many different images about their life, their false self to the world. They project they have close relationships with many, love deeply and is in a position to be respected. In reality, a Narcissist does not have any of these things, it is all a perception of their false self and they are good at distortion, manipulation and lies. For example, the bullying boss would project one minute the close, overly loving, perfect marriage they had, while painting a picture to the world what a wonderful spouse they had, greatest parent to the children, perfect friend, perfect everything and that they could not live without. Then with a switch of a light, the bullying boss is projecting a marriage/spouse that is one sided, abusive, uncaring, selfish, not a good parent, gets no help or respect and cannot stand to be near the spouse. Is this a normal relationship? The answer is simple, NO.

"Healthy relationships are characterized by respect, sharing and trust. They are based on the belief that both partners are equal, that the power and control in the relationship are equally shared"

http://www.bpdfamily.com/bpdresources/nk_a115.htm.

A good relationship has ups and downs but extremes like the bullying boss has is not considered a healthy relationship. If you know a bullying boss or a bully who has explosive relationships, moving from one extreme to the next, stop and make note. Take another step back and look with an open mind. Is the bullying bosses other relationships swing from one extreme of total admiration to the other extreme of total disdain? Keep in mind, a serial bully is looking for power and control, they are not interested in respect, sharing or trust and believe me, they do not believe you are an equal.

Lets explore, a serial bully gossips and spreads lies to help with their false self, to make others believe they have been victimized and they are always dealing with nonsense, stupid people. You have a choice in all this, confront the bully and inform them you are no longer going to be a part of unhealthy boundaries with them. Be warned! Taking this step will signal the bully you are a threat and an enemy and therefore will become a target of their evilness.

The bully has a cycle, they only can contain an image for so long and then they will strike, seek out a target and their destruction repeats. Do not be fooled when they are projecting the perfect, happy life...just a show to manipulate and distort!

Survivor

Why tell the story?

2011-11-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

It is important to express why I continue to tell the story about the bullying boss. The many of you that are following along maybe wondering if I have moved on, if I am happy or if writing after so long is worth it.

To write, gives justice because I can tell my story. I have received emails from others who have had a similar experience and my blog helped to bring it together for them. The healing began a long time ago, the blog followed. If you recall, I said I kept a journal, I always was one to write and journal. I formed this blog after I had written a lot when this incident was happening and shortly afterwards. This blog was my journey and after having someone very close to me read what I had written, did I decide to create the blog.

I discovered a blog a while ago, http://narc-attack.blogspot.com/. I read many good explanations about Narcissists. A serial bully, as explained prior comes in a number of different forms; Narcissistic Personality Disorder or NPD and also Attention Seeking Behavior. In healing, I needed to understand the why's, what's and how's. More importantly, I needed to educate myself with knowledge to be better self-aware when encountering this type of personality again. Serial bullies are diabolical and extremely manipulative. When someone is bullied, especially by a serial bully, something is usually stolen from the target. In my situation, something was stolen and the above blog reference states it the best, "the narcissist has stolen something of value from you, like your job or reputation - something you have every right to get back from the damned thief. You stop being a victim when you win justice and get it back, period".

Just like I stated, I am experiencing my justice today and everyday I move forward. I have received feedback from others who know the bullying boss personally. My justice that they are no longer fooled by the wolf in sheep's clothing and do not look through rose colored glasses any longer, justice.

The following blog highlights some things to think about when dealing with a serial bully, a bullying boss and one with NPD. The following blog, "More on Whether Narcissists are Happy" ( http://narc-attack.blogspot.com/) explains why it is important for others to understand and be aware of these bullies. We, as a society, cannot remain fooled by these people, the red flags, the patterns are there. Alexander Hamilton stated, "those who stand for nothing fall for anything".
_________________________________________________________________
More on Whether Narcissists Are Happy

Continuing with this discussion about whether narcissists are happy and when their happiness leaves them.

For example, I know a narcissist who turned viciously on her sister and parents within weeks of moving away to college. She tried to get herself adopted by the wealthy people who owned a college bar and restaurant she worked at. She told the cadre of students who belonged to that place outrageous lies about her sister and parents. Lies to make them all feel sorry for her as abused by her family – when of course, she was the abuser.

She was undone by a twist of fate. Her sister transferred to the same university, and her father became ill and landed in the hospital there so that her mother came to live with her sister during that time. These sympathetic friends of the narcissist got to know the mother and sister, because they too often came to the restaurant to eat. Of course, they didn't fit the narcissist's description of Phem.

In an addition, an older cousin, who had come to visit their father and had always smelled a rat in this girl, noticed the odd manner in which these students were relating to the mother and sister, putting two and two together to realize that they had been told some of the narcissist's patented vicious lies about her family. So, he boldly clued them in about the narcissist.

That shock, plus the attempt to get herself declared legally independent of her parents so that she could get herself adopted by rich people, plus the fact that they saw her cruelly using and abusing a suffering Vietnam veteran who loved her, outraged the parasite's new hosts. They compared notes and drove her from their midst.

How outraged were they? So outraged that apparently one of them (upon having too much to drink at a party), in front of everyone, threatened her with violence if she ever showed her face in their midst again.

Normal people don't make normal people THAT mad.

What's more, by my count, this was that narcissist's third such upheaval in life already, at the ripe old age of 19! That is, three times the people around her rose up in mysterious collective hatred of her and drove her from her midst. One such group was her 8th grade class and the other was the other employees she worked summers with in her home town's Recreation Department.

She was so hated by her class that she could not pass between classes in the hall with her classmates, because they would all shoulder her, knocking her into the lockers. Now this sort of thing had never been heard of in that school, and fighting of any sort was very rare there. So, you get an idea of how revolting her classmates found her. Similarly, she scored off the bottom of the Richter Scale in a peer evaluation of the Recreation Department, much lower than any other employee had ever scored.

So, narcissists don't always succeed. Sometimes they are exposed for what they are.

But notice the situations in which exposure occurred. Her fellow employees had an opportunity to tell the truth about her in a peer evaluation form. Getting 100% zeros from them all shocked the director and the manager, who had no idea that everyone hated her. In the case of the 8th grade class, these were kids, unburdened by any fear of being morally condemned for comparing notes and complaining to each other about what she had done to them. In other words, in this environment, the victim didn't feel compelled to cover up the narcissist's crime for her by remaining silent about it. The same was true in the college crowd. Nobody was making sinners out of the victims for telling others what she was doing to people behind their backs.
Perhaps we should take the lesson these young people teach: Don't just pretend it didn't happen; that is rolling over and dying: get justice instead. (Don't treat God or karma as your servant, expecting the Lord of the Universe to avenge you. Lift a finger for yourself.) Expose the narcissist for what he or she is. It's your only defense, because it destroys the narcissist's credibility, thus restoring your good name by discrediting the narcissist's lies about you.

It also spares others pain by warning them about the narcissist.

Back to the story.

Here she was in college, having rejected her family and having been rejected by all her college friends. Absolutely alone. She got a puppy to wag its tail at her, but that apparantly doesn't satisfy a narcissist's need for flattering mirrors.

Years later, she told me that during this "desert" period of her life she had contemplated suicide.

I knew but bits and pieces of the story then, nothing that would justify such a drastic reaction to living alone, so I asked why. All she would say was that she wanted to kill herself "Because all I did was use people."

Over the years I gradually discovered and pieced together the whole story. My understanding is that when she was abandoned and alone, with no mirrors reflecting her flattering false image of herself, her delusions could not be maintained by these mirages. In fact, the last thing she saw in those mirrors was abhorrence of her - a reflection of her true self.

Not what a narcissist wants to see in her mirrors.

Alone with her true self, the fictional character broke down. Hence she lost the mirage in the mirror that covered the likeness of her true self = a despicable person cut off from the human race who just uses others.

What did she do? She suckered her family into taking her back! (They didn't know what she had done to them behind their backs, and she told them that her depraved college friends had hooked her on drugs and tried to drag her away from her family into the cesspool of their immorality.)

Presto-chango, embraced by her hoodwinked family, she got happy again. In fact, she says that thus "coming home" is the only thing that kept her from killing herself.

I hope you will visit the blog where this story came from, the writer shares a great deal of information that I have found helpful.
Survivor

Bullying affects your health

2011-11-05T21:45:00.001-04:00

I suffered the bullying bosses abuse for nearly 4 months before I was fired. It is important to note, I had NOT been written up, had any reprimands or any issues with my work performance, issues with other employees or customers/clients. Actually, in one email the bullying boss admits we had never had a disagreement for the entire time I worked there. He/She did say in one email that he/she wished I would just come into the office and the two of us have it out. This was not an option for me, it was not professional to be in a verbal altercation with your boss. I also knew the bullying boss wanted me to react and I was not going to fall into the trap. I tried to be diplomatic at all costs and bit my tongue often. Generally, I try to be optimistic in situations and believe as time moves forward things will work themselves out.

On a personal note, I had been under a lot of stress but was handling my personal situation at home very positively. My husband/wife was ill and had gone on long term disability. I was in the position to be the one person in the household employed and knew the importance of it remaining this way. We were also putting two children through college. I had my plate full, worrying about my spouses health and our financial situation. Many of my friends and family members worried about me and questioned how I was able to continue to be positive, smile and kept moving forward. I had my moments but usually this was behind closed doors, driving alone or other moments I had to myself. I had the constant worry of "is tomorrow the day I am going to lose my spouse". I just never let on to others my own personal turmoil and as me goes, appeared strong and optimistic to the world. In previous blogs, I noted how a bully finds that weak spot to exploit and unfortunately, my weak spot was that I needed my job due to my spouses illness. The bullying boss understood this and threatened me for nearly 4 months that I was an at will employee and he/she could terminate me without cause.

I received the threats by emails primarily but also in the form of texts, Facebook and at the office. The emails were usually extremely lengthy, sometimes totaling 4 or 5 pages in length. At first, I would respond with explanations, tried being diplomatic and appeasing. The usual response back from the bullying boss was very negative, followed with more threats and the attacks on my character. Eventually, I responded with less explanations and more agreeable short comments.

One of the first emails I received threatening my job threw my spouse into a panic, threatened his health and caused additional stress for me regarding my spouses well being. I did not want my spouse to suffer a another stroke or worse yet have a heart attack. So, I gathered myself together for my spouse, told him/her it was going to be fine and stuffed all my stress inside of myself. I responded to the bullying boss with basically whatever I need to do, I need my job. I thought this would end it. I was so wrong, it only escalated the emails, the threats and now no matter what move I made, I was the problem.

I continued to receive these lengthy emails, knew the bullying boss was sitting at home watching the video feeds in the office, recording phone calls and having other employees report to him/her. The stress was intense and coming to work was one of the hardest things I did each day. Prior to all this bullying, I enjoyed coming to work and "loved" my job, I was helping others and enjoyed the challenges each day presented. The bullying destroyed it all and I understood the bullying boss was NOT going to stop until he/she beat me down. I continued to do my job, although job responsibilities were taken away from me and eventually I was trying to figure out what to do from day to day to keep busy. The bullying boss did all the classic moves done to their targets. I went from being an employee valued to one that was treated like the worse ever employed.

My health was suffering. Prior to the bullying, I had been to the doctor for my annual physical and everything was in check. I did not have any high blood pressure, no diabetes, cholesterol in good range and all other blood tests were normal. My physician gave me a clean bill of health. The bullying changed all of that.

My bullying boss after one of his/her emails put me right into a panic, my blood pressure was out of control and I was admitted to the hospital. The bullying boss questioned it all by the way but I showed the proof, a report from the hospital does not lie. After I was released from hospital, I had to follow up with my physician. My physician ran all types of tests, checked everything and was concerned by the findings. In the end, I was prescribed medication for high blood pressure, my cholesterol was elevated and a few additional issues. I was sent to a specialist who ran some tests and I was waiting on the results. I will never forget the day the results came in, it was in the late afternoon while at work and I was in shock from the diagnosis. Without having to say specifically what I was diagnosed with, one of my parents had been diagnosed with the same illness and it had caused many complications. The stress that overwhelmed me was over the top and I still had to finish my day. I had taken the call from the doctor outside of the office and I had been crying. I never was one to cry in front of people, so I decided to keep my sunglasses on and try to function the rest of my day.

The good old bullying boss was watching from his/her home on the video cameras he/she had installed to spy on his/her employees. He/She emailed me and questioned why I had my sunglasses on and why I was using my cell phone (this was a new rule for me since I was allowed to use my cell in the office). In the meantime, as this email came through, another employee was lurking (the one that had been targeted a few months prior by the bullying boss) in my office to try to gather information and report back to the bullying boss. Can you image what I was going through, the stress, all the worry?

I finally walked into the other employees office and said this has got to stop, it has gone on long enough and my health has been affected. I also sent back an email to the bullying boss explaining I had my sunglasses on because I had been crying because I received some bad news about my health. The end of the day was close and at this point I decided to leave.

When I walked out to my car, I was crying, crying because of the news I was given, crying because of all the stress I was experiencing, crying because of everything. As I was driving home, my bullying boss did not stop, an email was sent and it basically said I was not to report to work the next day or until further notice. I just put my hands in the air, tears streaming down my face, stress beyond words and asking myself why. Keep in mind, I still had to face my ill spouse, explain everything and also that the bullying boss threatened my job again.

Within a few days I was fired!

P.S. This is not behavior from a passionate, caring or understandable boss/person. It is classic bullying behavior from a person with Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Attention Seeking behavior. My hope continues to be to explain the pattern of these bullies and to parallel my story to the researched literature.

Exclamation points

2011-10-29T23:12:00.002-04:00

The use of exclamation points in emails could be considered disrespectful and nasty. Are you sitting there thinking about that statement? Do you use exclamation points in emails? Be careful because they can also be construed as insubordination from a bullying boss. I know when I use an exclamation point in my texts or emails, it is to show enthusiasm or excitement. In no way shape or form are they intended to be insubordinate, disrespectful or nasty.

Do you think it is normal for an email to last 11 pages? How about when the email continues throughout an entire work day? Besides the exclamation point being attacked, the bullying boss also said my responses were with sarcasm. Sarcasm was not the response at all involved in the 11 pages of this specific email. Instead, the responses were agreeable responses, accepting I was in a no win situation with the bullying boss and his/her drama seeking personality.

I understood it at the time and today that this was an attempt to try to get me to react. It is similar to someone poking you repeatedly. While they are poking you, you say over and over, "I understand, I get your point, yes, I understand". The bullying boss continued to poke and poke wanting a reaction. He/She did not get one so he/she fabricated a story in his/her mind. Recall, "it is my way or the highway" per the bullying boss.

Is this normal, I think not! (bullying boss, this ! mark is to show excitement). It is a clear indication of being bullied and berated, except what you are A BULLY, suffering from NARCISSISM AND ATTENTION SEEKING. You consider it being NORMAL because you are functioning under the pretenses of being mentally stable, not so much!

The bullying boss wants to berate you and make you feel terrible about yourself. I have emails which the theme is clear throughout and the language used is the same. The bullying boss does not discriminate, he/she sends emails to everyone with the same threats, the same words.

So, lets explore the definition of a few words commonly used by the bullying boss: unprofessional and nonsensical. The definition of unprofessional, "1. contrary to the accepted code of conduct of a profession 2. amateur 3. not belonging to or having the required qualifications for a profession unprofessionally  adv" by http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unprofessional.
The definition of nonsensical, "adjective 1.  (of words or language) having little or no meaning; making little or no sense: A baby's babbling is appealingly nonsensical. 2.(of behavior, conduct, actions, etc.) foolish, senseless,fatuous, or absurd: His nonsensical behavior was unusual forsuch a serious person. 3.objectionable, impudent, insubordinate: I refuse to listen tothat nonsensical gossip. 4.of trifling importance or of little or no use: I've had more than enough of your nonsensical advice!" by http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nonsensical
As the saying goes, the more you project something about others the clearer it is a reflection about yourself. I believe the bullying boss acted in an unprofessional and in nonsensical ways all the time.

The bullying boss always has a way of expressing disappointment, interjecting how much he/she has done for you and then slamming you for behaving in an unprofessional manner or in a nonsensical way. If you have been following this blog it should be clear to you by now that a bully knows how to manipulate, lie and cause drama. This is all the while projecting to others how unfair they are being treated by the people they are targeting. The pattern, the pattern is clear!!!!!! (oops there are those exclamation points) If you are fortunate or unfortunate enough to have a bullying boss as diabolical as the one I had, sharing emails he/she wrote about other people...the tone, the language, the words and the "I am so perfect, know it all overtone" is all consuming the message from the bullying boss.

My bullying boss is functioning under the pretenses of being the most professional and sensible in the workplace. Can you see how ironic this thought process is? The bullying boss functions his/her life under many false pretenses, it is all a false sense of his/her self.

Survivor

Making a difference

2011-10-20T01:28:00.000-04:00

Like I said in my previous blog, I was going through some paperwork, found a number of emails and cards from clients and also a beautiful keepsake. It brought a smile to my face and reminded me of how much I liked my job. Liking my job has made this experience that more difficult. I enjoyed the population I worked with and the rewards which were accomplished.

As I read through the emails and cards, I was reminded of a husband and wife I met at a meeting. Their situation still tugs at my heart. The husband had just been diagnosed with cancer and needed some guidance. His financial situation was a little shaky and asked if I was able to help. The gentleman did not believe he had many options and never knew of the options I offered to him. Long story short, I was able to resolve his dilemma and he was able to continue his medical care, financially save him money and most importantly gave him piece of mind. Reading his card reminded me of his appreciation for the help I gave to him.

Then underneath the card, I came across a box, a little blue box with a little saying on it. This gift was given to me by the bullying box just a few months prior to becoming his/her target.

Making a Difference

An old man walked up a shore littered with thousands of starfish, beached and dying after a storm. A young man was picking them up and flinging them back into the ocean"Why do you bother?"the old man scoffed. "You're not saving enough to make a difference."The young man picked up another starfish and sent it spinning back into the water."Made a difference to that one," he said.

You make a difference, everyday

(Inside the box was a pretty glass piece with a starfish inside and the saying Making a Difference)

I think it is in these keepsakes from my job I am the most upset. I know I was making a difference in my work and with people I was working with. I went the extra mile when others did not and in my heart it is the way I always worked.

The question in my mind, "How does the bullying boss go from giving a keepsake so beautiful to trying to destroy my health, my financial situation and a job I loved?" I wonder the true intention of these nice gestures and wholeheartedly know now these were with manipulative intentions. Through the four months I suffered with the bullying bosses abuse, the message was clear...conform to my ways or I will destroy you regardless of the work you do, its my way or the highway, I am the boss and I am in control.

As I blog and refer to research written about bullies, their behavior is evil and deceitful. The stories the bullying boss must have told to sell others on how terrible I was as an employee. And to think some believe and continue to believe the lies.

To the bullying boss, maybe you need to look deep inside of your empty soul and drag your drama, attention seeking, narcissistic self to a good counselor.

To myself, continue to make a difference and know good always conquers evil...Survivor!

Gossip about everybody, no one is spared

2011-10-17T22:59:00.003-04:00

Each of us are guilty of gossip but a bully gossips with different intentions and about everyone. As we explore a bully we need to consider their behavior in all realms of their lives There are schoolyard bullies, workplace bullies and then bullies in one's personal life with family, friends and others. I have highlighted a pattern with the bullying boss, it is important to distinguish bullies in your own personal life by the repeated patterns. Even for a mental health diagnosis to be established, it is a pattern repeated over and over, over time.

Taking a look at what we know about targets and who is targeted. I think what is easy to forget is a bully targets people in their professional life but they also target people in their personal lives. If you are friends with a person, listening to them gossip about co-workers, the neighbor, the teacher, one's family members and so forth, stop for a moment and ask yourself some questions---Do they have something to say about everybody? Do they demean others often? Do they have a problem with others behavior often? And Do they seem to act as if they are always some how above all of this? I guess you could wonder if this person is a bullying in life, not just in the workplace? Recall a bully is:

is highly manipulative, especially of people's perceptions and emotions (eg guilt)
poisons peoples' minds by manipulating their perceptions
uses gossip, back-stabbing or spreads rumors to undermine, discredit and isolate http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm

Why Does a Bully Use Gossip?

"Gossip fits well into the bully’s plan. The bully can stretch or bend the truth or make up a lie about a target and not confront the target directly.Remember, gossip is indirect, passive behavior that the target is not usually included in directly. The bully uses gossip, the most powerful form of control in an organization, in order to discredit an individual. If the target is discredited, the bully gets a ‘rush’ to feel their addiction of needing power over" (http://www.bullyfreeatwork.com/blog/?p=1481)

What motivates a person to gossip? "But the true, deep rooted reason, and psychological studies have proven it, is the feeling of superiority that results from such vicious spreading of information. The person feels superior not only because he/she feels that they have information to offer that the other person does not have, and we all know that knowledge is power, but also by gossiping about someone else, the gossiper feel as if he/she was a much better person than the subject of the gossip,It seems like some people, more than others, suffer from such a bad case of inferiority that they will do whatever it takes, including passing gossip around, to make themselves look better in front of others, and therefore, feel better about themselves, no matter at what cost" (http://factoidz.com/what-motivates-people-to-gossip/).

I was cleaning out some paperwork and forgot how often I documented, keeping a journal about the things I was experiencing. I knew early on I was being bullied and the pattern was pretty clear to me. In my last blog, I discussed the bullying boss bullying a little kid, nobody is spared from a bully. In my journal, I wrote about a story the bullying boss shared with me and probably many other people. Here is what I documented:

The bullying boss: The Boy Scout/Girl Scout Leader is 500lbs, he/she insulted his/her child all weekend long. I went up to the Boy Scout/Girl Scout Leader and said, if you insult your child one more time I'm gonna have to hurt you. My son/daughter was nervous around the leader all weekend but I told him/her not to worry, daddy/mommy will go around and around with leader.

Me: Did your son/daughter have a good time?

The bullying boss: He/She loved it!(interjecting right away with) Another child threw up every time he/she went to the outhouse. I said to the Boy Scout/Girl Scout Leader I'm sure there are places with plumbing, I have been camping everywhere. It was just ridiculous! I already called the mainline for the Boy Scout/Girl Scout to complain. The person there told me I could start my own group. I don't want to hurt any one's feelings, I wouldn't take all the boys/girls, maybe 6. The boys/girls are also suppose to earn badges, one of the badges is cooking and this Leader did none of that. I was starving and all the Leader brought was donuts.

And do you think the bullying boss was done, not at all, the bullying boss moved onto gossip about two additional people. I do not want to give to much details with the next two people gossiped about, so in short.

The bullying boss: I need to get away from so and so, he/she is driving me crazy. I ended up telling so and so I need to get away from you because we will be better friends. My husband/wife could not believe I told so and so this.

Moving onto the next subject of gossip.

The bullying boss: So and so son/daughter was around this weekend and was talking to my son/daughter. He/She was told to stay away from my child. There is something wrong with them, a crack addict or meth addict. If you ever met them, you would not forget them (then demonstrates how this person talks). They talk real fast and keeps moving their legs and stuff.

I documented that the conversation was less then 5 minutes with the bullying boss. The conversation was pretty much me listening and the bullying boss talking about others. So, if you are in the midst of a gossip remember they are probably a bully and gossips about everyone, including you.

Survivor

Sticks and stones, bullies know no limits

2011-10-14T22:46:00.002-04:00

Just a short blog to read and to remember a bully bullies anyone. Again to the pattern of a bully! The next time you are around someone like my bullying boss and they open their mouth, listen closely to what they are saying. Most of the time, it is a story to demonstrate how mean and rude they truly are. Here is just another example of a bully in action.

"Sticks and stones will hurt my bones but names will never hurt me". This rhyme was shared to help us with bullies while we were growing up. Remember your parents telling you this when you were younger because some kids can be so darn mean. We have all been called names, made fun of or teased when we were younger, none of us felt good about those hurtful moments. I remember telling my mom, "so and so made fun of me" and my mom usually would say to ignore them and to remember, "sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you".

If you are a parent, you want to protect your children from things that will hurt them. When our children come home from school telling us someone called them a name or made fun of them we would like to take the pain away. As parents, we just encourage them to ignore the kid or maybe we say tell your teacher. We do not go to school and call a child a name or make fun of them, do we? My bullying boss tells this story...

The bullying boss is at his/her child's school, keep in mind these are kindergartners. So, the bullying boss is talking to the other children and one little boy/girl asks the bullying boss who's daddy/mommy are you? The bullying boss tells the little boy/girl and the little boy/girl responses with a comment towards the bullying bosses child. The comment made was one of a typical child of that age, "out of the mouths of babes". Most adults would say to the little boy/girl, your comment is not very nice and could hurt someone's feelings-or something to that nature, right? How do you think the bullying boss response?

The bullying boss leans down to the little kindergarten's ear, with a smile, whispers you are a very ugly little boy/girl. Can you just imagine this scene?

The bullying boss proudly tells everyone this story. The bullying boss is the protecting father/mother or just a plan bully? Bullies know no limits and will bully anyone. I am sure it is something the kindergartner will never forget.

Survivor

Bill would protect workers from bullies - Steubenville, Wintersville, Toronto, Mingo, Weirton, Jefferson County | News, Sports, Jobs, HeraldStarOnline.com

2011-10-14T19:47:00.000-04:00

Bill would protect workers from bullies - Steubenville, Wintersville, Toronto, Mingo, Weirton, Jefferson County News, Sports, Jobs, HeraldStarOnline.com

Tall Poppy Syndrome

2011-10-05T21:04:00.001-04:00

I was reading a number of articles and blogs about why bullies bully? The face of a bully does not change, the schoolyard bully or the workplace are all the same. Research shows without a doubt, bullies bully because they feel inadequate and insecure.

This blog is intended to educate others and to highlight research while using my own personal experience to show the parallel. Bullying is not a new phenomena, it has been happening for years and years. The difference is more research is being done to understand why it happens, how to deal with its affects, who becomes a target and the psyche of a bully. This research is factual educated research done by psychologists, other clinical professionals and others personal insights. I have provided links to research articles and various blogs to help educate others that are being bullied. The examples provided is intended to paint you a picture of my personal experience with my bullying boss, linking it to educated research.

Which leads me into what research states about why bullies bully. One of the websites I discovered, http://www.whybulliesbully.com/ has some very insightful information. Dr. Sheila White, who has been doing research for years on workplace bullying is pretty straight forward, bullies bully because of "insecurity, envy, the potential for shame, unrealistic expectations and a futile search for recognition are some of the underlying factors". Lets drive the point and see what others state regarding why bullies bully:

"Bullies usually attack others to try to make themselves feel better about their insecurities. A fairly popularly known reason why people of all ages bully is because they are insecure. They constantly worry about what other people think of them, and they do not want to appear weak or insufficient to their peers. In their minds, taking charge of any and all situations and mocking others will instill fear and insecurity in their victims. If they are able to make other individuals feel insecure, then they can forget about their own personal voids and take pleasure in the fact that someone else is weaker than they are" (http://answers.yourdictionary.com/history/society/why-do-people-bully.html).

"The purpose of bullying is to hide inadequacy...Bullying is obsessive and compulsive... Bullies have low self-confidence and low self-esteem, and thus feel insecure. Low self-esteem is a factor highlighted by all studies of bullying...Bullies are seething with resentment, bitterness, hatred and anger, and often have wide-ranging prejudices as a vehicle for dumping their anger onto others. Bullies are driven by jealousy and envy. Rejection (which cannot be assuaged) is another powerful motivator of bullying"(http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/bully.htm).

I could continue to point out research definitions of why bullies bully but you get the point.
So, if a bully feels inadequate and insecure what happens when they feel threatened, they will lash out. The bully will "try and eliminate the threat of what they don't understand, to reassure themselves that they are 'superior' and generally to try and feel better about themselves and to reinforce their own views. This is made very much worse then if they think that you are looking down on them as this threatens them more and makes them feel as though they need to lash out" (http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/14694/1/Dealing-With-Bullying-at-Work.html).
If you recall, a serial bully "is also quick to belittle, undermine, denigrate and discredit anyone who calls, attempts to call, or might call the bully to account" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm).

I could not resist to point out how a bully response when they are trying to avoid responsibility for their behavior.

"When called to account for the way they have chosen to behave, the bully instinctively exhibits this recognisable behavioural response:

a) Denial: the bully denies everything. Variations include Trivialization ("This is so trivial it's not worth talking about...") and the Fresh Start tactic ("I don't know why you're so intent on dwelling on the past" and "Look, what's past is past, I'll overlook your behaviour and we'll start afresh") - this is an abdication of responsibility by the bully and an attempt to divert and distract attention by using false conciliation. Imagine if this line of defence were available to all criminals ("Look I know I've just murdered 12 people but that's all in the past, we can't change the past, let's put it behind us, concentrate on the future so we can all get on with our lives" - this would do wonders for prison overcrowding).
b) Retaliation: the bully counterattacks. The bully quickly and seamlessly follows the denial with an aggressive counter-attack of counter-criticism or counter-allegation, often based on distortion or fabrication. Lying, deception, duplicity, hypocrisy and blame are the hallmarks of this stage. The purpose is to avoid answering the question and thus avoid accepting responsibility for their behaviour. Often the target is tempted - or coerced - into giving another long explanation to prove the bully's allegation false; by the time the explanation is complete, everybody has forgotten the original question.
Both a) and b) are delivered with aggression in the guise of assertiveness; in fact there is no assertiveness (which is about recognising and respecting the rights of oneself and others) at all. Note that explanation - of the original question - is conspicuous by its absence.
c) Feigning victimhood: in the unlikely event of denial and counter-attack being insufficient, the bully feigns victimhood or feigns persecution by manipulating people through their emotions, especially guilt. This commonly takes the form of bursting into tears, which most people cannot handle. Variations include indulgent self-pity, feigning indignation, pretending to be "devastated", claiming they're the one being bullied or harassed, claiming to be "deeply offended", melodrama, martyrdom ("If it wasn't for me...") and a poor-me drama ("You don't know how hard it is for me ... blah blah blah ..." and "I'm the one who always has to...", "You think you're having a hard time ...", "I'm the one being bullied..."). Other tactics include manipulating people's perceptions to portray themselves as the injured party and the target as the villain of the piece. Or presenting as a false victim. Sometimes the bully will suddenly claim to be suffering "stress" and go off on long-term sick leave, although no-one can quite establish why. Alleged ill-health can also be a useful vehicle for gaining attention and sympathy"
http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm

As I continue to read and research I discover more insight and am confident in my abilities, my accomplishments, my work ethics and in whole my entire being. There is a saying, you may think you knocked me down but I am stronger then ever and stand stronger then before. I am stronger because I have educated myself against someone like you, my bullying boss and know I have hit a nerve. I am not saying this without research to back up my knowledge, so here it is:

"Reflection: Serial bullies harbor a particular hatred of anyone who can articulate their behaviour profile, either verbally or in writing - as on this page - in a manner which helps other people see through their deception and their mask of deceit. The usual instinctive response is to launch a bitter personal attack on the person's credentials, lack of qualifications, and right to talk about personality disorders, psychopathic personality etc, whilst preserving their right to talk about anything they choose - all the while adding nothing to the debate themselves. Serial bullies hate to see themselves and their behavior reflected as if they are looking into a mirror" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm).

In conclusion, an interesting anaIagy. "In Australia, where poppies grow, they for the most part grow to the same height. Every once in a while, one poppy grows higher than the rest. What do you think they do? You got it…they come along and chop the poppy down to match all the others. This is the same methodology a bully will take with a superstar or high achiever" (http://www.bullyfreeatwork.com/blog/?p=1626)

Whether the bullying boss continues or not his/her lies, attacks or behavior, just proves the point made by research. I know anyone reading this blog or other information on workplace bullying has walked away thinking differently about people like the bullying boss. Be aware, be very aware, the pattern of a bully is consistent, there is always a target, whether in their family, in the workplace or any other place or person they can. They know no boundaries, its all about them, their Narcissistic Personality Disorder(NPD) and their attention seeking behavior.

The power and strength is in the truth! And so its time to change the sign off name...

Survivor!!!!!!!
PS~stay tuned!

Cyber-bullying: by email, Facebook, Twitter

2011-10-03T17:24:00.000-04:00

There are so many ways in which a bully bullies and there are so many avenues in which they can attack their targets. There is a lot of attention to implement policies in school systems against bullying, extending it to entail bullying a target through texting, Facebook and Twitter. A target is anticipating the bullies next move and with the social network a part of life, can you imagine the impact this has on a school age student?

This is also happening with the work place bully, these narcissistic, attention seeking people have a platform to continue the abuse outside of work. Sadly, being a Facebook friend with the bullying boss can cause added stress especially if the bullying boss uses it for his/her platform to lure bystanders into his/her web. I have pages upon pages of my experience with the Facebook Bullying Boss. Keep in mind, the bullying boss is diabolical and is fully aware of their abusive behavior. And keep in mind the Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Hyde persona, they are good at putting on whichever face they need. If you are paying attention to the pattern, it is clearly there even in moments when they are painting the perfect happy life scenario.

I am sure many of you can relate to being Facebook friends with your fellow co-workers and supervisors...if there is a bullying person in the mix becomes the right ingredients for cyber-bullying. Now, the bullying boss wants to send a message and does it on Facebook for all co-workers to read. How would this play out for the target and for the other workers? And sadly, as a co-worker you are watching this abuse unfold night after night knowing full well where this is being targeted too. Co-workers choice, say something on Facebook to defend your co-worker or say nothing? I would imagine most would say nothing or if they do say something it will be to sympathize with the bullying boss. Recall in previous:

"Bullies tend to surround themselves with supporters, spies and 'court jesters' while cultivating allies in senior management. The bully will create rivalries in the workforce, as people anxiously fight to stay in their favour, creating a divisive culture which brings out the worst in people. To be 'in' with a bully can seem the best way to survive, and cover any feelings of inadequacy by displacing these on to others, through siding with the bully's aggression. But as long as a bully feels that they can get away with it they will continue." (http://libcom.org/organise/dealing-with-bullying-at-work-guide)

I will let you judge for yourself, this is just a handful of examples. Put yourself into the place of the target and the co-workers. How would you feel having to walk into work the next day?

"If there is someone who is adding stress to your life; purge them. Life is too short. Planning who's being purged this week as we speak......"

"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned" ~ Buddha

"Been a horribly rough few weeks!"

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side....unless you stop watering your own side........"

"Is today "stupid" day?! They are coming out in droves today"

"Thinking about necessary changes that have to come about"

"Haha. I wish. The hmmmm is for lots of bs and pettiness surrounding me. :). Is it Friday yet?!"

"Drama free zone please"

"well i am almost complete with my self help book.. "advanced delusionary schizoprhenia with involuntary narcissistic rage for dummies"...response to this post from the bullying boss: I need the book. I have an employee it may apply to"

"I have to agree. I, sadly, deal with ignorant, classless, bafoons daily"

"I have dealt with such complete ignorance and utter stupidity today, that I couldn't even find a quote that would be appropriate...oh yeah....except "total and complete assholes". :-)"

As I re-read many of the comments and behavior of the bullying boss, I still shake my head in disbelief that he/she still has people encouraging him/her. Not only encouraging him/her but empathizing with the constant poor me, everybody is stupid, abusive language towards others and carrying on like a child. I am hopeful that someone is reading this and realizes this behavior is not normal and to take note, it may not be happening to you today but bullies always find new targets.

If you are watching things like this unfold on a social network, in emails or are around someone behaving like this, run, run far away. It is always hopeful that others will stand up and speak out against a bullies dysfunctional behaviors. Sometimes your actions speak louder then words, distancing yourself and not adding to the narcissistic/attention seeking behavior. It is when the bullies have less of an audience, less people around them and less encouragement to harm others.

Take a stand, either in your actions or by speaking up,

Targeted

Dear Bully Boss...

2011-09-23T20:15:00.003-04:00

I found a very interesting article, "Dear Bully Boss". It is about being able to write a letter to your bullying boss. Here is the website, http://bullyinworkplace.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/dear-bully-boss/ and can also be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/groups/nojobisworththis/ Below is some examples of the things that were written to "Dear Bully Boss"...

"I moderate a Facebook Group and something special is happening there. Last night I came home to find that several people had spontaneously posted “Dear Bully Boss” letters. I couldn’t help adding my own. It’s been cathartic for many of us. Here’s a sampling… [ names withheld for this posting but you can visit the group and add your own by clicking here]"

Dear Bully Boss: I asked you repeatedly in a very nice way (at first) to please intervene when co-workers were making insulting comments directed at me, talking over me, excluding me and ignoring me when I asked for a cooperative and respectful workplace. If you had acted when I first approached you there would have been very few hard feelings and more than likely we all could have worked as a team..

Dear Bully Boss: F_ You! That’s all I can say. Oh, and another thing… “Karma” will come your way. It always does!

Dear BullyBoss: You insulted me, you talked about me behind my back, you underminded me, you made up lies about me, you talked AT me instead of TO me. You treated me like shit and then tossed me aside like I never mattered. It will take a long time for me to heal from your abuse but at least I know I will get better. YOU NEVER WILL.

Dear Bully Boss: I was not successfull in giving you my soul and all that you expected of me; however, I was able to succeed in giving you what you asked for. Sorry for the inconveniances this may have caused you. Pffft. ya right.!.!

Dear Bully Boss: It is obvious just how deeply entrenched in sand, denial, and do-goodery you are. You know EXACTLY what you did to me and others, as do your secretive and manipulative BOD chairs, and your spineless remaining staff. No one can lie that much and not be aware of it on some level — well, except for the absolute sickest of narcissistic sociopaths…

http://bullyinworkplace.wordpress.com/2011/09/07/dear-bully-boss/#comment-375

Here are some additional comments recently posted on http://www.facebook.com/groups/nojobisworththis/

"For 17 yrs of my life, I lived, ate, and breathed that org, 24/7. Then you came along. Unlike you and those now involved there, I actually HAVE the very illness that you pretend to understand and represent. I was so ill with late-stage Lyme as well, and getting sicker daily. I tried to tell you this. It all fell on deaf ears -- more denial. Wash, rinse, repeat . . . After all, who wants to work with sick people, right (or so I've heard)?"

"Ironic, isn't it? I got the very same "but you don't look sick" speech that we had fought so hard for decades to erase in the medical/lay communities. You even told me daily that my work was horrific, my skill-set was lacking, and that my writing was atrocious (yet you still sell the very books that I wrote)? That's rather remarkable to me. I mean, how did I manage to go from a top-notch employee -- the "backbone of the org" I was called many times over the yrs -- to a blithering idiot in a matter of months (after 17 yrs)???"

"But I also know that you feared and resented me quite a bit (as did others on the BOD and staff) because I was much smarter than average, much thinner than all of you (LOL), and was a more honest human who would not so easily lie on command -- a truth seeker/moral compass who questioned before merely following commands from a dictator. I actually dared to have opinions, as I always have and always will. In the end, you got what you wanted and I was forced to resign or literally be hospitalized (or commit suicide)."

"So, you took away the only source of pride that I had left in my life. You took away my sole source of income. You refused to acknowledge just how sick I was or that my disease even exists. You pretty much destroyed my life to its core. And you did this to a person who represents what you are supposed to be advocating for. Talk about kicking the "cancer patient."

"But Karma's a bitch and does not suffer fools easily.The secret is exposed. The cat's out of the bag. Your underhanded ways, cruelty, and corruption will surely come back to bite you, and hard. Maybe they already have."

"I may be sicker now, thanks in part to severe, documented PTSD caused by your insidious, precision-like, planned and executed mistreatment, but am also way, way smarter, even leaner, and I am a part of an outstanding and ever-growing community of anti-workplace bullying activists (and Lyme activists, too) that are organized in your state, in our country, and throughout the world. We mean business. We are not laughing and smiling w/you in your faux Pollyanna reality. We have much more important work to do."

"You still invade my dreams nightly and turn them into nightmares. But one day I know that you will reap what you've sown. I have faith in that, if nothing else."

And you keep believing your behavior does not affect lives, it does! Get some help and serious counseling, these "Dear Bully Boss" comments are not made up or imagined. These are real people with real lives, you are not the only one in the world. That's right, to the bullying boss, the world only centers around you. My Dear Bully Boss letter is this blog and as time moves forward, your wickedness will continue to be revealed.

You can send your stories to Honorable George Miller, Senior Democrat Committee on Education and the Workforce, the website is http://democrats.edworkforce.house.gov/eforum Lets get the word out and put an end to this epidemic.

Targeted

Deception

2011-09-20T21:42:00.001-04:00

I have been thinking about this blog for sometime now. This is a hot topic right now. It is important to note my strong belief in the basis of why unions organized and their benefit to workers. I realize this maybe a controversial subject, non-union vs union but without laws against bullying in the workplace, a worker stands NO chance to pursue a course of action. This is why I personally believe we need to recognize the benefits of union organizations and take action to unionize.

The bullying boss had positioned him/her self in projecting the company as belonging to a union and operated under that premise. I was told I worked for a union company and when I reached out for help I found out the employer never belonged to a union. What would be the motive for stating a company belongs to a union? Or projects they believe in what a union stands? When in reality this was not the case.

As I have written in previous blogs, the pattern is important to pay attention too. In this pattern, which others witness is where the truth lies when dealing with a bully. Bullies most likely sufferer from a personality disorder, Narcissistic Personality Disorder or Histrionic Personality Disorder. These bullies may also suffer from Borderline Personality Disorder. You can read further about these disorders at http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/npd.htm. The most prevalent point is their attention seeking behavior. On Bullying Online website, "drama queens, saviors, rescuers, feigned, and attention-seekers, attention seeking personality disorders, victim syndrome, insecurity and center of attention behavior" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/attent.htm). I believe once you read this website, you will step back and realize your bullying boss fits this description.

Getting back to my point! It is important to establish a basis of "Why unions were created". "Since the creation of labor unions there remains an ongoing struggle to insure that all working people are justly treated by their employer" (http://www.helium.com/items/573736-history-of-labor-unions-in-the-united-states). In short, unions are there to ensure you are treated fairly and the employer/company is following the laws and the negotiated contract. If I would of been protected by a union, I would of had a grievance process I could of followed but I did not have that option.

There is such an ongoing debate about unions, At Will states and Right to Work states. An At Will state is where your employer does not need a good reason to fire you. The Right to Work state allows an employee to decide for themselves if they want to or not to join a union. This is why I believe belonging to a union is beneficial to each of us. So, when I kept being threatened on a daily basis that I was an "At Will Employee" and therefore the bullying boss needed no reason to fire me...would you of been surprised? As the saying goes, "a Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is an idiom of Biblical origin. It is used of those playing a role contrary to their real character, with whom contact is dangerous"...and as the story goes, "A wolf, dressed in sheep's skin, blended in with the flock of sheep and every day killed one of the sheep" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wolf_in_Sheep's_Clothing).

Remember, serial bullies are good at convincing, a practiced liar, has a Dr. Jekyll and Hyde persona, "excels at deception and should never be underestimated in their capacity to deceive", cannot be trusted, is highly manipulative and on and on (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm).

"Our labor unions are not narrow, self-seeking groups. They have raised wages, shortened hours and provided supplemental benefits. Through collective bargaining and grievance procedures, they have brought justice and democracy to the shop floor"~~JOHN F. KENNEDY, speech, Aug. 30, 1960

Just as previously stated, if someone projected them self as believing in the basis of a union and prided them self in the company belonging to a union...to find out the company did not belong to a union and the bullying boss acted opposite of a union believing person. Would you look at that person differently and question motive, question why? If someone took the time to deceive the truth, why? Refer to the characteristics of a serial bully and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder descriptions. I hope at this point you can make a correlation and when you are dealing with a bullying boss do the same.

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing!

Targeted

To do nothing?

2011-09-19T09:59:00.000-04:00

I just finished reading a non-fiction book entitled, "In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin". The book takes place in 1933 when Hitler first became Chancellor in Germany. Mr. Dodd had just become the new US Ambassador in Germany. He moved his entire family to Berlin, Germany, his wife, adult daughter and son. The adult daughter had been excited by the glamour, the parties and the German men who were politically involved with the Hitler movement. As time continues, she begins to believe in the Hitler movement. She was taken in by the charisma and likableness of Hitler and the SS men and other higher military ranking people of Germany. The same thing was happening to others in their political circle and then others felt just the opposite. There were many people from the US Department that warned of the changes taking place in Germany since Hitler's appointment as Chancellor. No one was listening to the reports, the attacks against Jewish and non-Jewish Americans. Instead, the position was that no one wanted to get involved or cause hard feelings with Hitler, it was not "our" business. On June 30, 1934 Hitler made his first significant strike against his friends and enemies, anyone that he seen as a threat or maybe in opposition. Hitler ordered his men to arrest and ultimately murder many people, historically, the number murdered is disputed but believed to be around 1000 people. Hitler justified his actions to the world and the German people as being in the best interest of Germany. Hitler set the stage of fear and paranoia amongst anyone living in Germany, inaction gave Hitler power to continue on his destructive path. As we are aware of history, eventually World War II happened and the Holocaust. In the book the questions one asks of themselves is why didn't anyone do something? or others had to of known Hitler was headed in a destructive direction? or even when reports were being given of the mistreatment of people, we did nothing? Everything was dismissed as not being so bad and eventually Hitler would lose his power. In the end, the Dodd family left Germany and the atrocities they witnessed stayed with each of them the rest of their lives. The question remained with many, if there would of been a stance taken against Hitler and the direction Germany was headed, would it of had a different outcome in history and thousands upon thousands upon thousands of lives could of been saved? The question remains,the inaction of others to speak up and to do nothing?

I do not want anyone to believe I am making a direct parallel between bullies and what happened during Hitler's reign as being any where on the same level. What happened during Hitler's reign is deplorable beyond words.

My intention is to make others think about their experiences with a bully, whether being bullied yourself or watching someone being bullied. As I have written in previous blogs, bystanders can actually encourage the bullies behavior by their inaction's. I ask each of you to look at the pattern, when the bully speaks listen to what they are saying, how they gossip, speak of others negatively and has a way of painting a picture of life that is grand or drama drama every where has been encompassing their world. Keep in mind, it is never drama they caused but drama everyone else has set in their laps. Keep in mind the characteristics and patterns a bully possess, along with the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde persona. Most bullies are narcissistic, are likable and have charisma and that is why anyone can get caught off guard.

Each of us has a choice, to stand up and let the bully know you are no longer going to be a part of their gossiping ways or their destructive behavior. No longer encouraging them with sympathy for their song and dance about how they are being wronged or victimized. I would like to believe as adults one could decipher truths laid out in front of them. Its a simple picture, if you know someone that gossips about everyone, week in and week out, has some type of drama, such as I am sick, everyone is sick again, someone is stupid, everyone is stupid, so and so wronged me, and on the other extreme end, look at me, what a good person I am, I am opinionated, I am all this and that, example of Dr. Jekyll and Dr. Hyde persona. Remember a bully wears both faces and just like stated previously, if you think for one minute they have not gossiped about you or would not turn on you, think again!

The pattern is clear, their pattern is clear if you just care to look.

The campaign by Gary and Ruth Namie to establish laws to prevent being bullied in the workplace in the healthy workplace bill. Whether you choose to actively get involved in the campaign or decide you are no longer going to be inactive against a bully, progress has been made.

The following is a strong statement made by "German Pastor Martin Niemoller visited the former Dachau concentration camp, where he had been imprisoned from 1941 to April 1945. His November 1945 diary entry and some subsequent speeches he gave imply that that visit triggered the though that became this famous quotation" (http://www.history.ucsb.edu/faculty/marcuse/niem.htm).

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Its a powerful quotation. To be inactive is to feed the bully's sense of themselves. Keep in mind a person who is a bully, narcissistic is not going to change because you speak out but it might slow their progress. The less people being active around them, the better for all. And you have distanced yourself from becoming a victim of their bullying.

So, to do nothing?

Targeted

Another point in the lies of deception blog to follow, stay tuned!

GETTING INVOLVED

2011-09-12T16:44:00.000-04:00

As I researched about this topic over the past year, I found a number of very helpful websites and want to share with others.

"Gary Namie (Ph.D., Social Psychology) and Ruth Namie (Ph.D., Clinical Psychology) started the U.S. workplace bullying movement in mid-1997 after Ruth’s personal experience at the hands of a tyrannical woman supervisor in a psychiatry clinic." To read more about Gary and Ruth Namie and the movement:

http://www.workplacebullying.org/2011/09/06/gary-and-ruth-namie-an-interview-by-bob-morris/#more-5762

THE GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN-

I have taken some key points from the website, http://www.healthyworkplacebill.org/:

The movement has evolved since then into the healthy work place bullying legislative movement, beginning in 2001. In 2003, California was the first to introduce this intitiative, forming the California Healthy Workplace Advocates. New York was next to follow and since then many other states have organized.

The HWB has been introduced in 21 states, in over 60 versions, and has been sponsored by more than 300 legislators, thanks to the State Coordinator volunteer network directed by Dr. Gary Namie. The bill has successfully passed committee votes in Illinois, Washington, New York, and Connecticut; passed House floor votes in New York for a study-only bill; and passed both houses in Illinois as a Joint Resolution, establishing funding for a 1-year Task Force on Workplace Bullying. In 2010, the Senates in both the New York and Illinois legislatures passed the bill. We await the successful passage by floor vote in both chambers. Eventually, it will become law in one or more states and be replicated like the school bullying laws that snowball across our nation.

Discussions about a federal law were begun in 2010 with members of the U. S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.

The state coordinators play an important role in getting this bill in front of lawmakers by educating, creating blogs, facebook pages and so forth to get the campaign press.

So you maybe asking yourself how can I get involved and "take action"? When you are visiting http://www.healthyworkplacebill.org/ you can click on the tab "TAKE ACTION, HOW YOU CAN HELP". There are a number of ways in which you can help and this is exactly what I did. I am hoping to write further to Senators and Congressman to encourage legislation to be passed in my state. I was encouraged today when I seen the traffic coming through my blog. I have begun to take the initiative to link this blog with other blogs and get the word out about the healthy work place bullying legislation.

Taking action,

Targeted

September 11, 2011, 10 year anniversary of 9/11

2011-09-11T19:56:00.000-04:00

This past weekend, I have watched so many stories of brave people on that horrible day 10 years ago. It still brings me to tears and the feelings I felt that morning watching the planes crash into the World Trade Center is still with me. I am reminded of how proud I am to be an American and the love I have for my family and friends. The acts of bravery exhibited are miraculous and shows the kindness of people's hearts toward other's in need. That day will be a day I will never forget...God Bless America and each other.

Which compells me to write about stopping and thinking about truths, facts and behaviors of others. It is in writting about what happened to me that I can begin to heal and help others when I experience others being bullied. In reading literature about the effects of bullying, whether on the playground or in the office, one has to realize its impact on our culture. We have all witnessed someone being bullied and how it made you feel...sad, afraid, nervous and helpless. If you have experienced bullying, it has left you with the same feelings...sad, afraid, nervous and helpless. Many times, the bully explains away their bullying behavior or even tries to rally others to side with them. Sadly, we have at one time or another either have choosen to encourage the bullies behavior, ignored the behavior (being quiet not to have a problem with the bully), stood up to the bully or praised the bully. Isn't that sad, wrong and weak of us?

Bullies "undermines and destroys anyone who the bully perceives to be an adversary, a potential threat, or who can see through the bully's mask" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm) I am sure deep inside of your gut, a person truely knows people like this in their lives, has seen them in action and continues to keep them as allies. Here it is, "Bullies feel in control when they intimidate others and they feel admired by peers when they act out. It is not so much the victim that gives a bully his or her sense of power, it is the reactions, or rather the inactions, of bystanders that feed the bully’s superior sense of self" ( http://teenadvice.about.com/od/violencebullying/a/stopbullying1.htm). So I ask you on this 10th anniversary of 9/11, are you that bystander with the bully or are you the brave person, standing strong in the light of fear/death and doing everything and anything, BECAUSE ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO? The actions of people during 9/11 is what saved lives and what helped us stand apart as Americans.

So, through many initiatives to bring this epidemic to light and expose bullying behavior on the playground or in the workplace, no one can become bystanders encourage the abuse or allow someone to feel sad, afraid, nervous or helpless. If one chooses to do nothing, then you are no better then the bully themselves, you are a part of the problem and the continued epidemic. Please be advised, once you take a stand against a bully they will no longer see you as a adversary and they will now turn on you to discredit you. Remember the serial bully written about in a previous blog, they will "despise anyone who enables others to see through their deception and their mask of sanity" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm). It is each of our choice to choose what is right or to choice to encourage the bullying the behavior...what are you going to choose?

The bully usually has a lot to say about how they have been the victim and trying to convince others that they are the "true victims". When we are each confronted with this type of situation or gossip, one needs to step back for a moment and think, think about the bullies past behavior, their gossiping and their constant victimized attitude. Recall the picture they paint to others, they want the world to see them as "a wonderful, kind, caring, compassionate person" (http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/attent.htm) and many times this is the Dr. Hyde persona. The bully is not going to expose themselves to people they see as allies but if one looks over the pattern, you can see. It is our decision to do the right thing, to have your own mind/heart and courage. If questioning the truth, one can ask the hard questions of the bully and facts supporting their behavior. Keep in mind, "is a convincing, practised liar and when called to account, will make up anything spontaneously to fit their needs at that moment, cannot be trusted or relied upon, is highly manipulative, poisons peoples' minds by manipulating their perceptions"(http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/serial.htm).

Empathy by definition, "direct identification with, understanding of, and vicarious experience of another person's situation, feelings, and motives"(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/empathy). Can you put yourself in someone else's shoes, have empathy for their experience of being bullied?

In education, having empathy and an open heart, we can change others from being bullied,

God Bless,

Targeted

The pattern of the bully...

2011-09-06T21:58:00.001-04:00

In thinking about this blog and what to write about next, all I keep thinking about is the pattern of abuse. Keep in mind, I have a box of emails totaling approximately 3 years from the bullying boss. I have emails in which he/she shares private emails with me from his/her family members, other employees and then one's which are about his/her family members and other employees. Establishing a pattern in exposing a bully may help others to see the red flags sooner when boundaries are crossed or they have that gut feeling something just does not seem right. Trust me, looking back I knew then the boundaries were unhealthy but I needed my job and he/she never targetted me.

Self-reflection helps us all to grow and hopefully learn how to better deal with situations. I have come to realize through this past year, my approach to dealing with bullies is something I need to change. The difference now is that I acknowledge quickier and the flags go up immediately. In all of the research I have been doing has made things clearer, the question is figuring out how to self-reflect and change. This is in no way putting blame on the targets but it seems that targets usually have a certain personality type and bullies can smell "us" out.

The personality types I am referring to are one's of independence, strong work ethics, the people others in the office turn to, honest, have deep empathy for others; targets are the helpers, the happy go lucky individuals. I think you get the picture. When a bully encounters this type of individual their mission is to destroy at all cost, hoping to wear the target out, find that weak "carrot" and eventually become the spider who catches their pray in their web. Sadly, if the target does NOT conform to the bullying boss the bullying continues until your health cannot take any more or you get fired.

The bullying boss always had a target or as he/she would phrase things, "on my radar". It seemed every few months the target would be switched but it always seemed to come back to the same two individuals. Looking back, I believe there is something to be said about that and the abuse each endured. I do have empathy looking back and reading over emails forwarded to me about each of them. I did try to speak up to the bullying boss and emphasis these individuals strengths. The bullying boss always threatened to fire these two people but in the end they remain "best friends" with the bullying boss and the web of dysfunction continues. Unfortunately, these two individuals were like gang members and would do as the bully asked.

"Bullies tend to surround themselves with supporters, spies and 'court jesters' while cultivating allies in senior management. The bully will create rivalries in the workforce, as people anxiously fight to stay in their favour, creating a divisive culture which brings out the worst in people. To be 'in' with a bully can seem the best way to survive, and cover any feelings of inadequacy by displacing these on to others, through siding with the bully's aggression. But as long as a bully feels that they can get away with it they will continue." (http://libcom.org/organise/dealing-with-bullying-at-work-guide)

Next blog to follow, specific emails from the bullying boss about these two individuals to highlight just how unhealthy of an environment I was working in.

Targeted

Interesting Facebook emails a month prior to the target being me!

2011-08-29T21:19:00.002-04:00

I was looking over some facebook emails and want to kick myself right in the butt. I have always been a person who would defend a person being bullied, stand up for others in need and advocate for others when need be. I think that is the most disappointing thing about re-reading these facebook emails, although there were some issues with this particular co-worker, every few months he/she was the "targeted" employee. Defending him or her, pointing out positive factual stuff and even joking that the bullying boss was never going to fire this co-worker, never stopped the bullying this co-worker experienced for nearly 3 years, the abuse was consistent. In the end, this co-worker played the game with the bullying boss against me and funny thing, the bullying boss looked to this co-worker to help target me.

Maybe "birds of feather flock together". I wonder if a bully surrounds themselves with followers, insecure and like people? Or do they play people around them to catch them in their web of dysfunction?

The signs were there and the comments about another "targeted"co-worker clearly shows his/her narcissitic/bullying thought process. Here is a glimpse of the bullying boss in action and his/her thoughts about the "targeted" co-worker:

"not funny.... she/he is infitrating every aspect of my professional and personal life. I made my sister/brother delete her/him".

"oh....sweet Caroline, are you wrong this time... I can longer handle the complete stupidity.... Need someone more honest and smarter... she/he played more games with me today....."

"I thought she/he was smart... she/he didn't play stupid when noone was around...her/his games are enough. let her/him work her/his ass off right now..... haha... I'm not even mad anymore... I put an ad out tonight on (location omitted)... should post Friday. Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"

"Working it out is not the same as calling a person into the office and telling her/him to send an email to me. Working it out means that both employees feel comfortable, no? And here's the point...She/he is now talking to (name omitted)about this crap and again bringing other employees into it, correct?

"PS Who did (name omitted)say it to? U or her/him? I need this shit documented via email as it happens. Need to give it to my lawyer asap"

"It is too bad. if he/she doesn't sign it, then he/she has to leave immediately. It's a last chance agreement. he/she has a chance to straighten up his/her act...and (name omitted) didn't do anything with the shirt
except tell me that (name omitted) had the shirt
in her/his office! Too bad if they took it!"

"haha.... She/He can't do much... I have decided I'm not going to fire (name omitted) right away, but he/she won't have a key anymore. Someone else will have to open and close when it's done because I don't trust him/her. It will be ugly, but I think tomorrow should be okay because he/she won't be getting fired, he./she will be getting a last chance agreement. If he/she disagrees, he/she can say so or respond. I don't give a shit. It's my way or the high way. That's the only fucking good thing about being in charge. Haha... BUT, don't try to protect me, I need to know everything he/she says as he/she says it. I'm fine...not going to let his/her bullshit stress me out anymore."

"Besides....leaving (name omitted) there gives her/him something else to lose....and then when things are calm, she/he will probably quit. Let's see how tomorrow goes. If she's/he's calm and improves..she/he may be around a little longer... Sometimes, he/she gets her/his shit together...but as I said...IT IS THE LAST FUCKING POSSIBLE CHANCE and I think that it's generous"

"Good...let's see what happens tomorrow when you guys go. He/She should be fine. It's a last chance agreement..he/she will know where he/she stands.... If he/she doesn't sign, I guess the meeting is canceled. Relax....."

"P.S. I have an entire binder filled with his/her incompetence and his/her emails "apologizing" since (date omitted)..... I think I have plenty of ammo to fire him/her...really? He/She could get Johnny Cochran and I still have plenty of documentation that I am not picking on him/her. WTF."

"And stop worrying! Who gives a fuck! I had the best day without him/her there or his/her son/daughter! He/She is a fucking conniving pain in the ass also!"

It is rather funny that he/she believes he/she can beat Johnny Cochran and its their way or the highway. Even though I have re-read this a number of times over the past year, I realize the truth slapping me in the face...It did not matter what type of worker I was, my moral, ethical traits, my hard working ways, helpfulness, or leadership qualities I possess. I was up against a person who felt they were invincible and untouchable, the boss at all costs. It was either conforming to his/her ways and accepting he/she was the end all be all when I was targeted, sacrifcing my soul and everything I stood for-I would of still been working there. Or standing my ground, never being unprofessional, never stooping where he/she wanted me to go and never expressing my work ethics. He/she could not get me to be one of his/her followers, I WON. Yes, I said it finally, I WON, my health may have suffered and I lost my job but in the end I can sleep knowing I never gave up my soul to the devil, to the bullying boss.

The healing begins today,

Targeted