Nov. 20, 2013
Vol. 2 Issue 144
DAILY DIGEST
Monsters On Board Bullying in the Workplace Story and photo by MCSN (SW) Kole E. Carpenter
I
t enters the room like a monster, and even the sound of its voice puts you on edge. The room seems to get colder and darker. All you can do is hope it leaves you alone. Don’t speak. Don’t make any sudden movements. If it sees you, it will pounce. It will make you feel small, feel helpless, feel less than human – just because it can. You have a job to do, and you just want to do it. You’ve overcome so much just to make it
here, and all you ask in return is the ability to move through your world. You just want to live your life. But the monster will absolutely not allow it. Every day is a one-sided cage fight for your dignity. There is nowhere you feel safe, nowhere it won’t find you. It’s not a pack of wolves. It’s not a jungle cat. It’s a fellow Sailor or Marine. Someone who swore to work beside you and call you brother, but tortures you instead. One who warps your workspace – your home,
into a prison. It’s a bully. According to a message put out by Nimitz’ commanding officer (CO) bullying is foremost defined as intentionally aggressive behavior in the form of verbal, physical and emotional abuse repeated over time. Chief Machinist’s Mate Joshua Jackson, Nimitz’ Equal Opportunity Advisor, defines bullying in his own way. “It’s going way out of your way to make someone miserable,” said Jackson. Spreading rumors, gossip, Continued on page 3