INTERACTIVE WORK PLACE TRAUMA (IWPT)/TRAUMATISME INTERACTIF EN MILIEU DE TRAVAIL (TIMT)

Canadian Operating Room Nursing Journal,  Jun 2005  by Shewchuk, Muriel

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Things to NOT do with a Workplace Bully!

* Do not try to appeal to his/her better nature.

* Do not plead with them to stop bullying. Do not negotiate or mediate.

* Do not try to disarm with a joke, sarcasm, wit or amusement.

* Do not try to get even or to "give them what they have coming".

* Do not allow yourself to feel small, inadequate, timid or incompetent.

* Do not expect coworkers to come to your defense (sad, but true).

* Do not spend hours of conversation dwelling on what happened and what was said. Do everything you can to stay out of the "victim mode" and build an appropriate support network in order to effectively strategize.

Management Strategies for IWPT

Look in the mirror, read between the lines and have a clear understanding of your own reputation before you set out to deal with issues. Make sure you are not a part of the intimidation. Do not listen to or support the bullies. Also, remember to deal effectively with messages and behaviour being brought forth. Check with honest outside sources about the reputation of your environment, whether or not you like the answers. Be sure that you have a thorough understanding of the workplace you are leading. In addition:

* Recognize and accept that bullying and horizontal violence exist, even in your department;

* Assess the culture and the practices that allow disruptive behaviour to exist. Take the temperature of your environment, or have a professional assess it through confidential surveys and job satisfaction ratings. Determine if your workplace is happy and how staff members view your workplace morale;

* Provide education sessions. Define what acceptable professional conduct is. Ensure policies, procedures and support resources are publicly known and readily accessible;

* Ensure staff feel safe in the workplace and can thrive and develop to their full potential;

* Provide opportunities for staff to develop skills and strategies to deal with bullying behaviour and to prevent the victim mentality; and

* Document, document, document. Record dates, details, facts and names. This way you are well prepared, and successful, when discipline becomes the necessary action. You cannot afford to fall victim at the hands of a manipulating bully due to lack of, or incomplete, information and documentation.

Summary

Tragically, horizontal violence and bullying behaviour being master minded by nursing colleagues is firmly entrenched in many perioperative environments - just like a serious pathological bacteria. Interactive Workplace Trauma (IWPT) is ugly, mean, destructive, demoralizing and counterproductive to efficient, effective patient care and positive staff performance. Get educated and use astute observations to ensure you clearly understand what is occurring. Make sure the staff feel safe and have the appropriate, necessary protection to deal with unacceptable conduct. Deal effectively with the bullies. Remember if it is not documented, it didn't happen!

WEB SITES

http://2bebullyfree.com

www.bullyfreeworkplace.com

www.bullyonline.org/workbully