Comments on: Mediation?

By: pgbarnes

pgbarnes — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 21:59:45 +0000

The school system took the easy way out and it ended up costing the district dearly, as well as you and, ironically, the alleged bully. Thanks for your note; it may serve as a warning to others who are considering that route. Mediation is not well suited to the problem of workplace bullying. PGB

By: Amy M.

Amy M. — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:35:11 +0000

I am a teacher, and the person who bullied me was a co-worker, the union president for our district. I did speak with an attorney (useless!) who recommended I go to mediation as requested by the district to “show good faith.” It was a horrendous experience – with me bringing a list of behaviors the bully was engaging in that prevented me from effectively completing the functions of my position, and her bringing a list of personal complaints that amounted to character assasination. We hammered out an agreement that basically lasted halfway through the school year, then she started up again. We ended up the year with the resignation of the principal, and I was involuntarily transferred. It seems that when nobody was looking, she had the contract rewritten so that the new language would have me losing my position, rather than her when they reduced teachers due to lower enrollment. I have tried to get a position in other districts, but due to the economy, and probably my age – I have not been successful. The job market is very tight where I live. This has been a horrible experience for me. My only saving grace is that I stuck up for myself. It cost me dearly – but I never backed down.

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 15:20:33 +0000

So basically, if you are the target and the next level supervisor says you should “work together” with the bully, should you refuse? In my mind, this approach means you are willing to “share blame” and try to work things out. There is no excuse for bullying, and its hugely detrimental to the organization. Mediation will not get to the heart of the issue – the bully needs their conduct corrected. Seems to me, mediation for bullying is a bit like telling a rape victim to change their clothes and work things out with the rapist, because if they weren’t dressing so provocatively, they wouldn’t have been raped. Thus, they must have deserved what they got. It’s twisted logic that protects a sociopath bully.