BC: Bullying a government problem

By Michael Smyth, The Province

In some B.C. workplaces, on-the-job bullying and harassment is so extreme that workers quit their jobs, go on stress leave or take drugs to cope with the daily torment.

One bullied worker was even driven to the edge of suicide by a cruel boss. And managers and union stewards don’t seem to care.

These are not horror stories from a minimum-wage sweatshop – it’s the government of B.C., and the bullying is fuelled by your tax dollars.

“Bullying within government is as rampant as the plague,” a civil servant writes in the B.C. Public Service Discussion Forum, a password- protected website where government employees discuss workplace issues, anonymously if they choose.

“Never in my working life have I ever seen such bullying as what goes on in our office,” a government worker writes.

“Since I have been with this ministry, my supervisor has bully-bounced three different people into retiring early, leaving the ministry and going on stress leave. It seems like any employee who confronts this supervisor is the next target.

“The last time someone approached the supervisor, they were yelled at behind closed doors, and stakeholders and other staff could hear. This employee left the office in tears. What a great way to do business as professional adults in the public service.”

Another government worker responds: “I have been where you are now, and it is demoralizing for everyone in the office. When my turn came, I started to get sick, tried finding other employment, and endured months of hell. This was the hardest battle of my life.”

One worker tells a terrible story: “My office bully started out acting like my best friend. Then, for a reason I can’t understand, he turned on me.

“He made exaggerated comments. He put me through a demeaning and overly blameful process where I was treated like an imbecile, and things that were untrue were put on my personnel file. I was pushed to my limit for over a year, and no matter how hard I worked, how well I did my job, it was never good enough.

“I felt helpless and depressed for several months, when I started thinking about suicide. I had a plan, and it was a good one. But I recognized I needed help. I took a leave-of-absence and spent several hundred dollars for counselling. But I was still suffering.”

The worker ends with a plea to other victims: “Talk to your doctor, or someone, to get help. Don’t wait as long as I did. It was almost too late for me.”

Many of the stories have a similar theme: managers who turn a blind eye to the abuse around them.

A worker writes: “When I took my concerns to the supervisor of my bully, she listened, asked questions, and indicated she knew the bully was a problem. At the end of our conversation, she told me to shut up about this, or I would be perceived as the problem. I knew she was also a bully. . .”

The provincial government is well aware of the stories on the website.

“All our employees have the right to a respectful workplace free from harassment and bullying,” said Lynda Tarras, head of the B.C. Public Service Agency. “I’m concerned, and I strongly encourage any employee experiencing problems to contact me directly.”

But many workers also lash out the B.C. Government and Service Employees Union.

“The problem is that nobody in public service can actually be disciplined or fired,” writes a worker who started taking sleeping pills to cope with an abusive unionized colleague. “They may get a little talking-to, but that is all.”

The BCGEU issued a statement saying the union takes the issue seriously and recently signed an anti-bullying agreement with the government, covering peer-to-peer bullying by union members.

Despite the official reassurances, writers on the discussion forum said the problem is getting worse.

“Reading these posts brings back all the anxiety, dread and helplessness of being a target,” a worker wrote. “It was so soul-destroying.”

? Premier Christy Clark made a name for herself as an anti-bullying advocate, but critics say she ignores bullying within her government.

NDP labour critic Raj Chouhan introduced a private-member’s bill – the Workplace Bullying Prevention Act – that would require all employers to implement a work-place harassment policy and investigate complaints.

“Christy Clark stopped me in the hallway and said, ‘Raj, that’s very good. I support you.’ But then there was no action.”

Chouhan said his proposed law would actually save employers money by reducing workers’ sick days and stress leave.

How bad is office bullying within the B.C. civil service? If you or some-one you know works for the government and has been bullied on the job, send me an email with your story. I will keep you anonymous if you like.

Essential reading for anyone who is being bullied at work