Case Study: Hostility at the Workplace Follow Up

Recently I posted my blog about workplace hostility about a coworker who feeds off hostility. Today, an employee whom this instigator tried to get into trouble was confronted by his victim. I watched the whole scene play out. The employee, who is a young, bright intelligent lady quietly approached this instigator and asked "Why did you send that email to HR?" and the instigator simply replied "compliance-I am being compliant". So the young lady said "bullshit, it's not compliance, you did it to get me in trouble. I would have never done this to you because I think twice about getting people into trouble with the possibility of losing their jobs. I could have lost my  job! I will never do this to anyone knowing that they have to put food on the table to feed their kids. Why are you so compliant knowing that you did this to stir trouble. You don't even know who I am or what my problems are, so why did you really do it?"

And the instigator answers "I don't want this company to lose good employees like you". Now this instigator is really very new into the organization. He has been around for about 6 months. The instigator continues with the excuses but while he speaks, he is sweating profusely, and stuttering quite a bit. Obviously the body language is enough to determine that the instigator is a complete liar.

Anyhow, long story short, the individual was able to sweetly, and quietly state her message to the instigator in the manner of "don't mess with me". As a neutral third party, I asked each party to state what they have learned from this dispute, and how to better avoid it the next time around.

Does this happen to you? Are you an instigator or a victim employee? share your thoughts with us. 

Posted on behalf of Group WhyNot. For more information regarding our services, please visit www.groupwhynot.com