Intimidation In The Office

Though there’s no definitive research yet linking workplace bullying and fraud, here’s some food for thought about a possible correlation.

John, a sales manager for a large manufacturing firm, rarely missed the sales meetings on the first Wednesdays of each month. With the economic downturn, he seemed to be struggling more than others to meet his sales projections, and he valued the meetings as opportunities to discuss issues with his colleagues.

In March and April, John’s boss, Ted, the regional sales manager, had rescheduled the sales meetings for the first Thursdays but didn’t bother to tell John. John complained to Ted about being out of the loop. Ted said it was a simple oversight but told John he might have a better chance of getting back into the loop if he could make his sales projections.

Shortly afterward, John heard Ted and two other sales managers talking about their dinner the previous evening. John wondered why he hadn’t been included, but he was too embarrassed to ask. With the decrease in his sales, John saw a decline in his income and perceived an erosion of his position in the company and his relationships with Ted and his colleagues.