The untold story of witnesses of workplace harassment often remains overlooked, despite their critical role in addressing and preventing such behavior. Witnesses, whether coworkers or bystanders, can experience a range of emotions and challenges when they witness harassment. They may feel conflicted about intervening, especially if the perpetrator holds power or influence, or if they fear retaliation. This silence can perpetuate the toxic environment, making it harder for victims to come forward and for organizations to recognize the severity of the issue. Witnesses also face emotional distress as they may feel powerless, guilty for not stepping in sooner, or anxious about the consequences of speaking up. In many cases, employees may be hesitant to report harassment, fearing that they will be ostracized or blamed. However, when witnesses do speak out, their accounts can be pivotal in corroborating the victim's experience, helping to shed light on what may otherwise go unnoticed. Organizations must recognize the importance of witnesses in the fight against workplace harassment. Encouraging a culture where speaking up is not only safe but expected can empower witnesses to act. Providing training that includes bystander intervention strategies and ensuring that there are clear, confidential reporting channels can help witnesses feel more supported and capable of contributing to a positive change. Ultimately, witnesses play an essential role in shaping the work environment. Their perspectives and actions can be powerful catalysts for change, making it crucial that organizations create an atmosphere where they are encouraged to speak out and where their voices are valued in the effort to eliminate harassment.
Dr. Julia Shaw combines the best of both worlds: she creates knowledge by conducting outstanding research and shares her findings via a compelling stage presence. Great that she creates this kind of awareness! She's a true role model!
Unfortunately, this situation repeats itself around the world, and who is in the lower lays suffer from fear of retaliation and of getting fired. We must be united, be better allies to our colleagues, and shows up some courage to do what's right. Very important research. Well done, lady!
It was only briefly mentioned, but the "power corrupts" thing reminded me of a quote. "There's an old saying: 'All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' The more I've learned, the less I believe it. Power doesn't always corrupt. What power always does is reveal. When a guy gets into a position where he doesn't have to worry anymore, then you see what he wanted to do all along." --Robert Caro
I work in a public healthcare organization. They could do more to protect employees, the mistreatment is systemic, though very personal for those affected by harrasment. I think this woman is spot on in terms of placing responsibility on the managers and hierarchy within the organization. Essentially she is also making a business case for why it is rational to protect workers, and i support her entirely. However, my experience under new public management, is unfortunate. When the bottom line is all that matters, you hire and promote the bullies. And i think everyone knows this, but no one dares to say it. After ten years of experience, it slowly dawned on me that doctors where every bit as vulnerable as nurses or other lower ranking staff. A corrupt administration has you cornered, regardless of education level, or personal integrity. Which is not to discount the proposals laid forth in this presentation. They are sorely needed.
HR won't do anything about these problems. That's not what HR is for. It exists to serve the interests of the employer. If any bullying or harassment involves people in power within the organisation....all reporting to HR does is identify you as the problem and the messenger that needs to be kept quiet. If addressing the bullying and harassment would be disruptive to the organisation smooth running, HR's role is to shoot the messenger. Employee assistance programs have the same role (confidential counselling that is owned by the organisation - so they can keep things quiet and their reputations intact). If we want to address workplace bullying and harassment in any serious, non-tokenistic way, we need the provision of, and access to, third party independent processes, advocates and investigatory powers. Only then will things change.
My husband gave a full essay on how the company can approve at their suggestion. He wanted to help but the boss be made to look bad . He fired him and lied to prevent him getting unemployment.. then blacklisted him , 3 years of work experiences down the drain and his electrician jobs wouldn't call him back . Had to go back to working at walmart. I was pregnant and supporting us and we could barely make it to fight against it would hurt us ..
This is one of the best videos I've seen that addresses the importance of bystanders & witnesses taking action and speaking up when they see/hear something in the workplace. Very powerful; every organization serious about culture change and creating a safe workplace should watch this. Well done, Dr. Shaw.
Just earlier this month, the CEO of my company specifically told me that he doesn't want to hear me stand up for other people, despite he is please with my performance, he told me that I have spend too much time voice complaint for other people, even though I have explained to him that why those people are unable to voice up their concern due to the intimidation from their direct supervisor. Meanwhile, our COO who is the orchestrate the most harassment is also acting like the HR of our company.
Unless You Run Your Own Business/Company, You will always be at the mercy of abusive behavior in the work place when you are working for someone else. Things Would be different if any of us where in the Driver's Seat because if I were, I'd get rid of and replace a lot of bad employee's such like the current one's who do so much dirt and get away with it and the favoritism there that is just unbearable.
Corporate HR are hostile to the employee, and don't rely on managers to be competent. And don't try to complain about one manager to *his/her* manager. More often than not, that two-up manager hired the one-up manager and any criticism of the one-up manager for incompetence, bullying or anything else puts upper management in a bad light. This is likely why working from home has become so popular these days, we no longer need to deal with BS on the office floor.
As someone in a leadership position, what interests me the most is how do I get witnesses of racism, discrimination, mysoginy,... to trust me enough to come forward? If the victim speaks up, that's very important. But it creates kind of a conundrum for my as a leader especially if I end up with to equally believable statements without any proof or witness. If it's the witness(es) who come forward, especially if they are neutral I can take far easier decisive action. So getting witnesses on their own volition to come forward is for me the gold standard of my antidiscrimination work. I find it particularly hard, as a leader, to discern if the fact that in my stint as leader was because we were succesful in creating a discriminationfree enviroment (good) - or that we created an enviroment where victims and witnesses didn't want to come forward (terrible).
Just relived the moments of discrimination l go through at work. You helpless because you know when asked nobody will say they saw it happening they only admit when they try to console you. Lol worst part it feels like it’s my fault though l know it’s not . Am going to become a manager in years to come . I want to be a version of the kind of manager l wished for
I was discriminated against because I was a woman at 2 jobs .. it's worse when your pregnant, I've gotten screamed at for picking up a ladder and gaslight and told he was only concerned for my safety.. most woman I talk to have the expression been there but I feel like they had to stand there and take it because their was a mix of annoyance , sadness and acceptance of this is just how it goes .. no one defended me ..
For males, they often don't want to be seen as "weak" in admitting they're being harassed but the problem is this leads to becoming a resentful monster that's much more capable of violence they'd never engage if they speak up earlier. Regardless, speak up and if HR or mangers are the harasser, contact another outside organization for workplace safety - maybe a local workforce commission. I had a real condescending deckhead of an HR at one previous job.
“HUMAN RESOURCES” is an ABSOLUTE JOKE !!! Human Resources is a part of the Company that PROTECTS THE COMPANY over the Human Rights of Individuals being preyed upon. If Human Resources actually worked there would be ZERO VIOLENT WORKPLACE SHOOTINGS. Human Resources is the key component in a business that terminates the victim.
In my case, the bully was himself a victim of state sanctioned discrimination, and he was merely committing horizontal violence. I may forgive one day but not forget.
I was paraded around and gaslighted that nothing is going on, when all was making it obvious. Very memorial scenario, it was laughable on the part of management
What happens if HR witnesses it & does nothing about it? The biggest joke is that our HR diirector jets in for our quarterly "We Care About You" mtg. & says that active shooters are on the rise, so you need to be ready & prepared. I raised my hand & asked " can you at least give us a day & time?" I suggested that if Mgt. were to treat their employees with dignity & respect, the rate of active shootings could decrease. HR said they'll take that under advisement. I said no rush..take your time. Meanwhile, our GM is a malignant narcissist w/ the dark triad trait who's pushes out 96 employees w/ only 1 suicide.
This gives some great ideas on how an organization can foster diversity and a good working environment for people, without turning it into a gossipy tattle-tale culture.
Great presentation but HR only works for the employer. The only reason they place policies is to protect themselves. They don’t even enforce the policies. I’ve been bullied and harassed for 10 years for being different. I have tried everything… I’ve gone through the chain of command and HR. Their latest tactic is to write negative performance reviews reflecting a negative picture of me. I’ve been working for this local government agency for almost 25 years and in my current assignment for 15 years. I do hope work bullying and harassment is truly dismantling and get to experience it in my lifetime. I’m in the USA btw.
I did not get justice in Bangladesh, rather after filing physical harassment case corrupted criminals Hv filed 6 false cases, sent me to jail on the counter false case, threatened me to kill and now am out of home since 3 yrs!
Please do your own research. Don't let people feed you your opinions from people that profit from crisis. These people destroyed a great person that worked at Starbucks. The two guys were not customers and were taking up table space. They were asked to leave if they were not going to purchase something as some paying customers were standing. They were asked by management to leave. The bathroom part was added to add race baiting to the issue.
Amazing, it's like the "me too" movement, except you dont have the balls to express your own concerns. It's just "harrazment" from "unnnamed people" "since i am a women, you know". I don't know.
The fact that someone would be seriously harmed for speaking up against harassment just shows how messed up our culture really is. Not everyone can speak up for themselves, for a variety of reasons.
I’ve always thought that the quote “snitches get stitches” came from someone who didn’t want anyone coming after them for something they did. I think banding together and supporting each other by reporting unsavory behavior is actually a form of standing up for oneself, but on a level that’s greater than oneself. If change happens and the outcome is better than it used to be, then you stood up for yourself and the people you work with as well.
The untold story of witnesses of workplace harassment often remains overlooked, despite their critical role in addressing and preventing such behavior. Witnesses, whether coworkers or bystanders, can experience a range of emotions and challenges when they witness harassment. They may feel conflicted about intervening, especially if the perpetrator holds power or influence, or if they fear retaliation. This silence can perpetuate the toxic environment, making it harder for victims to come forward and for organizations to recognize the severity of the issue.
Witnesses also face emotional distress as they may feel powerless, guilty for not stepping in sooner, or anxious about the consequences of speaking up. In many cases, employees may be hesitant to report harassment, fearing that they will be ostracized or blamed. However, when witnesses do speak out, their accounts can be pivotal in corroborating the victim's experience, helping to shed light on what may otherwise go unnoticed.
Organizations must recognize the importance of witnesses in the fight against workplace harassment. Encouraging a culture where speaking up is not only safe but expected can empower witnesses to act. Providing training that includes bystander intervention strategies and ensuring that there are clear, confidential reporting channels can help witnesses feel more supported and capable of contributing to a positive change.
Ultimately, witnesses play an essential role in shaping the work environment. Their perspectives and actions can be powerful catalysts for change, making it crucial that organizations create an atmosphere where they are encouraged to speak out and where their voices are valued in the effort to eliminate harassment.
Dr. Julia Shaw combines the best of both worlds: she creates knowledge by conducting outstanding research and shares her findings via a compelling stage presence. Great that she creates this kind of awareness! She's a true role model!
Unfortunately, this situation repeats itself around the world, and who is in the lower lays suffer from fear of retaliation and of getting fired. We must be united, be better allies to our colleagues, and shows up some courage to do what's right.
Very important research. Well done, lady!
It was only briefly mentioned, but the "power corrupts" thing reminded me of a quote.
"There's an old saying: 'All power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.' The more I've learned, the less I believe it. Power doesn't always corrupt. What power always does is reveal. When a guy gets into a position where he doesn't have to worry anymore, then you see what he wanted to do all along."
--Robert Caro
That’s a great quote.
“Train your managers” Amen. Great Talk, thank you
I work in a public healthcare organization. They could do more to protect employees, the mistreatment is systemic, though very personal for those affected by harrasment. I think this woman is spot on in terms of placing responsibility on the managers and hierarchy within the organization. Essentially she is also making a business case for why it is rational to protect workers, and i support her entirely. However, my experience under new public management, is unfortunate. When the bottom line is all that matters, you hire and promote the bullies. And i think everyone knows this, but no one dares to say it. After ten years of experience, it slowly dawned on me that doctors where every bit as vulnerable as nurses or other lower ranking staff. A corrupt administration has you cornered, regardless of education level, or personal integrity. Which is not to discount the proposals laid forth in this presentation. They are sorely needed.
HR won't do anything about these problems. That's not what HR is for. It exists to serve the interests of the employer. If any bullying or harassment involves people in power within the organisation....all reporting to HR does is identify you as the problem and the messenger that needs to be kept quiet. If addressing the bullying and harassment would be disruptive to the organisation smooth running, HR's role is to shoot the messenger. Employee assistance programs have the same role (confidential counselling that is owned by the organisation - so they can keep things quiet and their reputations intact). If we want to address workplace bullying and harassment in any serious, non-tokenistic way, we need the provision of, and access to, third party independent processes, advocates and investigatory powers.
Only then will things change.
My husband gave a full essay on how the company can approve at their suggestion. He wanted to help but the boss be made to look bad . He fired him and lied to prevent him getting unemployment.. then blacklisted him , 3 years of work experiences down the drain and his electrician
jobs wouldn't call him back . Had to go back to working at walmart. I was pregnant and supporting us and we could barely make it to fight against it would hurt us ..
This is one of the best videos I've seen that addresses the importance of bystanders & witnesses taking action and speaking up when they see/hear something in the workplace. Very powerful; every organization serious about culture change and creating a safe workplace should watch this. Well done, Dr. Shaw.
Isn’t it sad that I have stood up for other people yet they wouldn’t stand up for me? My manager does but it’s just not enough.
workplace bullying really affects you for a long time
For life
Just earlier this month, the CEO of my company specifically told me that he doesn't want to hear me stand up for other people, despite he is please with my performance, he told me that I have spend too much time voice complaint for other people, even though I have explained to him that why those people are unable to voice up their concern due to the intimidation from their direct supervisor. Meanwhile, our COO who is the orchestrate the most harassment is also acting like the HR of our company.
Dr. Julia Shaw the G.O.A.T.
Unless You Run Your Own Business/Company, You will always be at the mercy of abusive behavior in the work place when you are working for someone else. Things Would be different if any of us where in the Driver's Seat because if I were, I'd get rid of and replace a lot of bad employee's such like the current one's who do so much dirt and get away with it and the favoritism there that is just unbearable.
Dealing with stuff like that is extremely frustrating
Corporate HR are hostile to the employee, and don't rely on managers to be competent. And don't try to complain about one manager to *his/her* manager. More often than not, that two-up manager hired the one-up manager and any criticism of the one-up manager for incompetence, bullying or anything else puts upper management in a bad light. This is likely why working from home has become so popular these days, we no longer need to deal with BS on the office floor.
Thank you to all those who are courageous enough to be active allies by speaking up!🙏🏻🥰
As someone in a leadership position, what interests me the most is how do I get witnesses of racism, discrimination, mysoginy,... to trust me enough to come forward?
If the victim speaks up, that's very important. But it creates kind of a conundrum for my as a leader especially if I end up with to equally believable statements without any proof or witness.
If it's the witness(es) who come forward, especially if they are neutral I can take far easier decisive action. So getting witnesses on their own volition to come forward is for me the gold standard of my antidiscrimination work.
I find it particularly hard, as a leader, to discern if the fact that in my stint as leader was because we were succesful in creating a discriminationfree enviroment (good) - or that we created an enviroment where victims and witnesses didn't want to come forward (terrible).
The company I work for need this video.People need to work in A harassment free workplace
Well said
I’m in the process of going through this, I’ve raised a case against my boss..
good luck, praying it goes well for you. Head high!!
Well done, I really hope it works out for you. I really do.
I wish you all the luck in the world ✨🙏
Just relived the moments of discrimination l go through at work. You helpless because you know when asked nobody will say they saw it happening they only admit when they try to console you. Lol worst part it feels like it’s my fault though l know it’s not . Am going to become a manager in years to come . I want to be a version of the kind of manager l wished for
I was discriminated against because I was a woman at 2 jobs .. it's worse when your pregnant, I've gotten screamed at for picking up a ladder and gaslight and told he was only concerned for my safety.. most woman I talk to have the expression been there but I feel like they had to stand there and take it because their was a mix of annoyance , sadness and acceptance of this is just how it goes .. no one defended me ..
Thank you so much
They teach this is primary schools here in Australia which I think needs to be addressed a lot more for certain.
Point 5, Building a Social Identify involves: “If you attack one of us, you’re attacking all of us.” Wouldn’t that be amazing?
For males, they often don't want to be seen as "weak" in admitting they're being harassed but the problem is this leads to becoming a resentful monster that's much more capable of violence they'd never engage if they speak up earlier. Regardless, speak up and if HR or mangers are the harasser, contact another outside organization for workplace safety - maybe a local workforce commission. I had a real condescending deckhead of an HR at one previous job.
First, it's important to distinguish between witnesses, enablers, and recruits.
“HUMAN RESOURCES” is an ABSOLUTE JOKE !!!
Human Resources is a part of the Company that PROTECTS THE COMPANY over the Human Rights of Individuals being preyed upon. If Human Resources actually worked there would be ZERO VIOLENT WORKPLACE SHOOTINGS.
Human Resources is the key component in a business that terminates the victim.
In my case, the bully was himself a victim of state sanctioned discrimination, and he was merely committing horizontal violence. I may forgive one day but not forget.
What’s worse is when woman dont back other woman when they see it happening.
Its not about women or men, its about human/ity rights and justice
I was paraded around and gaslighted that nothing is going on, when all was making it obvious. Very memorial scenario, it was laughable on the part of management
remarkable!!!!!!! thank you for this!
What happens if HR witnesses it & does nothing about it? The biggest joke is that our HR diirector jets in for our quarterly "We Care About You" mtg. & says that active shooters are on the rise, so you need to be ready & prepared. I raised my hand & asked " can you at least give us a day & time?" I suggested that if Mgt. were to treat their employees with dignity & respect, the rate of active shootings could decrease. HR said they'll take that under advisement. I said no rush..take your time. Meanwhile, our GM is a malignant narcissist w/ the dark triad trait who's pushes out 96 employees w/ only 1 suicide.
Report em to HR. HR is the bully? Report em to workforce commission.
When the person harassing you is saying you’re harassing them..and it’s military. So much for retiring..I rather be dead
This gives some great ideas on how an organization can foster diversity and a good working environment for people, without turning it into a gossipy tattle-tale culture.
Very useful talk. ( from SriLanka)
Even anonymous reporting isn’t anonymous sometimes - not to deter.
Not reporting is worse.
This is such a motivation words n encouragement as well😍
Great presentation but HR only works for the employer. The only reason they place policies is to protect themselves. They don’t even enforce the policies. I’ve been bullied and harassed for 10 years for being different. I have tried everything… I’ve gone through the chain of command and HR. Their latest tactic is to write negative performance reviews reflecting a negative picture of me. I’ve been working for this local government agency for almost 25 years and in my current assignment for 15 years. I do hope work bullying and harassment is truly dismantling and get to experience it in my lifetime. I’m in the USA btw.
Dr., you don't need a study. It's human nature. Rock the boat & there are repercussions.
Has Dr. Julia Shaw's research been published anywhere?
yes...many including 3 books.
I did not get justice in Bangladesh, rather after filing physical harassment case corrupted criminals Hv filed 6 false cases, sent me to jail on the counter false case, threatened me to kill and now am out of home since 3 yrs!
So sorry to read that. Hope your situation improves. I will make dua for you.
How awful an injustice! I'm horrified that it is still a flourishing system. I wish the best life for you.
Hi, it's 2024, the structures are not only not being dismantled, they are being put back up...
Please do your own research. Don't let people feed you your opinions from people that profit from crisis. These people destroyed a great person that worked at Starbucks. The two guys were not customers and were taking up table space. They were asked to leave if they were not going to purchase something as some paying customers were standing. They were asked by management to leave. The bathroom part was added to add race baiting to the issue.
Peter principal. Promotion into one’s own incompetance
Wow
How is Luna?
C'mon, doctor. Holes in the pants?
Amazing, it's like the "me too" movement, except you dont have the balls to express your own concerns. It's just "harrazment" from "unnnamed people" "since i am a women, you know". I don't know.
I really have no idea what you were trying to express here. Could you clarify, please?
Sound bitter
snitches get stitches. creating a tattle tale culture is less appealing to me than just standing up for yourself.
The fact that someone would be seriously harmed for speaking up against harassment just shows how messed up our culture really is. Not everyone can speak up for themselves, for a variety of reasons.
I’ve always thought that the quote “snitches get stitches” came from someone who didn’t want anyone coming after them for something they did. I think banding together and supporting each other by reporting unsavory behavior is actually a form of standing up for oneself, but on a level that’s greater than oneself. If change happens and the outcome is better than it used to be, then you stood up for yourself and the people you work with as well.
Snitches get stitches was created by assholes that want to hold power over others.
You’re a birch Franz
she hot