bullying

[AnonyMouse_2268]

Hi

- Question from a non childcare related piece of work im working on but thought there might be some help from here -can anyone define the difference between 'management' and 'bullying' in respect of treatment of staff...is there a specific difference to see, feel, notice etc in order to be sure its one or the other?.

Have you ever felt bullied when managed or what you thought was management turned out to be bullying?

I'd be grateful for any thoughts / examples.

 

[AnonyMouse_30128]

Many years ago i worked for a restaurant company as an assistant (live in position) The Manager was a friend of my previous manager and so i was asked to go and be his assistant to help him out. Things did not work out well and i moved positions after he made me sign false documentation which was then audited! He certainly had moved from managing me to bullying me quite quickly (not helped by the fact he started a relationship with one of the waitresses!) He had also allowed me to have time off for my Father as he was terminally ill at that point...when i returned he put me on a 24 straight shift pattern (basically working solidly for 2 weeks about 17 hours a day!) this was because he was cross that i had not been able to return when i had said . So i guess managing becomes bullying when you are treated unfairly in comparison to others, or when you are suffering mentally or physically because of their actions.

[AnonyMouse_3139]

I see managing as directing, ensuring tasks are completed and deciding who by. Managing is knowing your staffs strengths and allocating work based on that.

Bullying is belittling, making fun, snide remarks, overworking, always giving the bad jobs, picking fault, ignoring. A bully never makes someone feel good but a manager can.

[AnonyMouse_12960]

I think management should be professional, objective, supportive and fair. Bullying is almost the exact opposite!