Peer abuse

5 listopada 2014

The topic for today is ‘’mobbing at work’’.

Task 1
Read the text below to get the general idea:

Peer abuse, a kind of discrimination, can take three basic forms: bullying, mobbing or harassment. Whether it is used with reference to children or adults, the term describes the kind of inappropriate conduct, mostly in the form of intimidating and offensive actions, of one person, or a group, towards another human being. In schools it is usually called bullying, yet at workplace it is referred to either as mobbing or harassment. If an individual is repeatedly persecuted by one oppressor (the ‘’ringleader’’ or ‘’chief bully’’), we talk about bullying, but when an employee is frequently oppressed by a group of colleagues, it is known as mobbing or harassment.
Mobbing is said to be primarily rooted in unsolved conflicts and perhaps that is why it is not considered illegal in some countries. Harassment, however, is more serious in nature, since it is related to complex issues involving age, gender, religion, disability, race, civil partnership or maternity. Compared to mobbing, then, harassment is defined unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
The range of mobbing acts among adults is virtually unlimited. Typical examples of mistreatment at work may include: spreading malicious gossips or innuendoes, instances of verbal or physical abuse, unfair treatment, picking on someone, regularly undermining someone’s competences, denying training or promotion opportunities, cases of intimidation or humiliation, discrediting, or even isolation.
Long-term exposure to frequent instances of mobbing or harassment at the workplace may be destructive and can trigger serious illnesses. Victims of systematic intimidation might suffer from nervous breakdowns or psychological disorders leading to reduced work efficiency or high absenteeism. Consequentially, some employees might even consider leaving or changing jobs.
Conflicts are inevitable in human work environments, but they can certainly be resolved through active mediation or meaningful conversation. In modern societies, mobbing should neither be allowed nor treated as a way of solving problems. Instead, stimulating discussions which promote mutual understanding and enable settling difficult matters, should be recommended and effectively applied in contemporary organizations.

Task 2.
Study the text carefully and decide whether the sentences below are true (T) or false (F):

1. The term ‘’peer abuse’’ is applicable to both school children and adult workers. …..
2. Discrimination at the workplace can take varied forms. …..
3. In the majority of reported cases the mistreatment was directed against a group of individuals. …..
4. Frequently repeated negative, intimidating, actions aimed at a particular person in a company are called bullying or mobbing. ……
5. Mobbing is said to be treated as a minor offence in comparison to instances of harassment. ……
6. There is always one leading oppressor who initiates bad behaviour. ……
7. Acts of mobbing usually include instances of repetitive non-verbal abuse. ……
8. Chronic exposure to deliberate intimidation or discrimination may lead to serious health hazards. …..
9. Abused workers suffering from mental disorders tend to be ringleaders or chief bullies. …..
10. Mobbing should never be accepted as a way of solving disagreements among workmates. …..

Task 3.
Watch the video ‘’ Workplace bullying‘’ and supply the missing information in the sentences below:

1. In a major national survey ……… of American adults reported that they have experienced bullying behaviours at work.
2. Another ………… said that they had witnessed others being bullied.
3. Workplace bullying can have serious …………………. for the employees and the organizational life.
4. Severely bullied employees may suffer from a variety of health ………………………….. including depression and …………………….. disorders.
5. Bullying can also ………………… productivity and morale and it can also lead to higher absenteeism in turnover.
6. It can even ……………………. employee benefit costs and the risk of legal actions.
7. On occasion, resulting bad publicity can …………….. the organization’s reputation.
8. Workplace bullying may be direct such as repeated …………………. and verbal ……………………, hassle ………………. or silence and deliberate ……………………..
9. Indirect bullying may include: ………………………. sabotage, spreading ……………………… rumours or …………………………. unreasonable work ………………………. to make the target fail.
10. …………………… are the most frequent ………………….. followed by …………………… In instances of mobbing employees …………………. to bully a co-worker.

KEY TO EXERCISES

Task 2.

1. The term ‘’peer abuse’’ is applicable to both school children and adult workers. ..T..
2. Discrimination at the workplace can take varied forms. ..T..
3. In the majority of reported cases the mistreatment was directed against a group of individuals. ..F..
4. Frequently repeated negative, intimidating, actions aimed at a particular person in a company are called bullying or mobbing. ..T..
5. Mobbing is said to be treated as a minor offence in comparison to instances of harassment. ..T..
6. There is always one leading oppressor who initiates bad behaviour. ..F..
7. Acts of mobbing usually include instances of repetitive non-verbal abuse. ..F..
8. Chronic exposure to deliberate intimidation or discrimination may lead to serious health hazards. ..T..
9. Abused workers suffering from mental disorders tend to be ringleaders or chief bullies. ..F..
10. Mobbing should never be accepted as a way of solving disagreements among workmates. ..T..

Task 3.

1. In a major national survey 35% of American adults reported that they have experienced bullying behaviours at work.
2. Another 15 % said that they had witnessed others being bullied.
3. Workplace bullying can have serious repercussions for the employees and the organizational life.
4. Severely bullied employees may suffer from a variety of health consequences including depression and anxiety disorders.
5. Bullying can also diminish productivity and morale and it can also lead to higher absenteeism in turnover.
6. It can even increase employee benefit costs and the risk of legal actions.
7. On occasion, resulting bad publicity can tarnish the organization’s reputation.
8. Workplace bullying may be direct such as repeated yelling and verbal humiliation, hassle glares or silence and deliberate exclusion.
9. Indirect bullying may include: behind-the-back sabotage, spreading damaging rumours or imposing unreasonable work demands to make the target fail.
10. Supervisors are the most frequent aggressors followed by peers. In instances of mobbing employees gang up to bully a co-worker.

LEKCJA DO POBRANIA:

Peer abuse

Peer abuse – KEY