tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post3127536392152775101..comments2024-03-20T08:37:50.011+00:00Comments on Bullying of Academics in Higher Education: HEFCE aims to cut costly court billsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-9139939971154698112007-02-13T14:17:00.000+00:002007-02-13T14:17:00.000+00:00Well at least there are people working at Leeds Me...Well at least there are people working at Leeds Met to do SOMETHING about claims of bullying... and well done HEFCE for acknowledging the need for action.<BR/><BR/>It will be a difficult journey to address workplace bullying - but even the smallest steps on the road are so welcome...<BR/><BR/>The UCU at my uni has remained silent on the issue of workplace bullying. The management have invited me to discuss issues - assuming that I am wrong in my perceptions... so we get nowhere.<BR/><BR/>Even a 17 year old A level psychology student understands that there are a range of perceptions - particularly in complex social situations. Management in my uni appear to be oblivious to this theoretical concept. It is only their perception that counts - not mine. I am wrong in my perception and they are right. My perception is that I am being bullied - their perception is that I am not being bullied. In such a situation it is impossible to move forward.<BR/><BR/>Universities are autonomous and cannot be forced to do anything - and anyway bullying is not illegal (yet!). However with autonomy should come responsibility.<BR/><BR/>Firstly for university management to be courageous and acknowledge that workplace bullying does exist within their university. This can be made easier if there has been an internal survey where staff have stated that they feel like they are being bullied. The management's hand can be forced if such surveys are moved into the public domain. This should not be necessary but currently it is...<BR/><BR/>That these surveys are now being made public due to the actions of local UCU reps is excellent...<BR/>whereever there have been such surveys they should be made public - while the legislation still exisits to do this. <BR/><BR/>So reps who have not taken action - what about it eh??? if you do not act you are colluding with the bullying behaviour - there is no neutral position - either you are for bullying or against it. So let's see a flurry of those internal surveys being published in the public domain. Don't the public have a right to know what is happening....?<BR/><BR/>Joan Whieldon's project is EXCELLENT - well done!!! She is right that there needs to be a huge culture shift in universities<BR/><BR/>... universities - just think what they SHOULD stand for... bastions of truth and justice... the exisitng culture at many universities is a travesty of these concepts... there is a culture of naked ambition and playground politics...<BR/><BR/>It is interesting that American Universities use mediation to solve disputes... my university seems unable even to recognise that there is a dispute.. I am wrong and they are right...<BR/><BR/>There is certainly a need for teaching senior management and middle management about constructive problem solving skills .... employment tribunals are NOT the answer.<BR/><BR/>Part of the problem solving would involve recognising behaviour that is unacceptable.<BR/><BR/>In discussing wpb this blog has highlighted the personality disorders that can result in unacceptable behaviour ... People with a personality disorder who turn out ot be bullies - need help.<BR/><BR/>Maybe the next project can address the needs of staff whose behaviour is totally inappropriate due to a personality disorder. This is particularly important where their behaviour is condoned by the university management. The bullying that results from such a situations is destructive beyond belief and destroys not just lives but potentially an entire department in a university. Help is desperatly needed in these sitiuations. Strangely it is the targets of such individuals who are offered counselling not those with the personality disorder....<BR/><BR/>So there is work afoot to explore wpb... and lots more potential projects waiting in the wings...<BR/><BR/>....blogs such as this make a massive contribution to exploring wpb...<BR/><BR/>...those of us who care about universities are taking action...<BR/><BR/>...we will make a difference...<BR/><BR/>In solidarityAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28080901.post-45743518801843922062007-02-12T22:35:00.000+00:002007-02-12T22:35:00.000+00:00who wants to go to an employment tribunal in the f...who wants to go to an employment tribunal in the first place. If they listen, if they act with integrity, if they are genuine, there is no need (even) for mediation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com