I just had the pleasure of meeting with the Workplace Bullying Project's founder Lauri Lilli. What a breathe of fresh air for this lawyer. I am so weary of having to tell people I can not help them if they are still employed - because the employer has not taken that final "adverse employment action" or because though they are being horrifically bullied it is not illegal discrimination under the law.
There are no employment police you can call to show up at your workplace and make your boss, manager, supervisory or co-worker stop targeting, undermining, or backstabbing you. The law provides you the right to fight for damages only after unlawful (discriminatory) workplace actions have risen to a certain level of severity or pervasivenes. The case law defines a hostile work environment as harassment that changes the conditions of your job. It must be either severe or pervasive. In almost all cases it must also by based on some discriminatory animus. Meaning most workplace bullying is not unlawful.
But there is help, and I am not talking about your company's human resources department. Human resources department's are generally helpful up to the point your interests conflict with the company's interest. That means most of the time human resources despite all assurances to the contrary are going to protect the company and it leaders and not you. However, Lauri Lilli is working to fill the gap between human resources on the one side and the law on the other.
Ms. Lilli makes it clear that she is not a lawyer and not a licensed mental health professional. What she is, is someone who lived through her own workplace bullying nightmare and is now working to help others navigate toxic workplaces and protect thier livlihoods - adn she knows what she is talkign about.
Her services include,
Navigating the Bullying Dynamic and Toxic Environment-Career Planning and Growth Support
-Documentation Training, Review and Support
-Human Resource Management and Support Services
-Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) Support
-Healthy, Safe, Bully-Free Job Search Support and Guidance
-Resignation and Exit Support
-Group Coaching Support
Ms. Lilli offers a free intial meeting that you can book right online here.
For all of you suffering bullying at work, I wish you the very best.
Next: When is workplace bullying illegal?
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