OUR STORY
The founders of Joint Actions Against Workplace Bullying are dedicated to eradicating bullying from the workplace. We are advocates who have experienced the devastating effects of workplace bullying firsthand and are committed to ensuring that it is stopped.
Hui-Ling has experienced mobbing and Gerald has experience scapegoating. In both cases, we left those employers.
Become a part of the movement to make workplace bullying illegal.
Read on to learn more about:
Meet the Founders
Each founder has over 25 years of leadership experience and is highly knowledgeable in policy development and organization evaluation. This level of experience is critical in our efforts to end workplace bullying.
Founder
Hui-Ling Chan, MA, MBA
Hui-Ling Chan immigrated from Malaysia to the US in 1991 to earn her college degrees. She has experienced the betrayal workplace bullying in various forms over the years. Hui-Ling's experiences have made her a strong advocate for sharing stories and creating supportive workplaces.
Founder
Gerald Martin, EdD
Gerald Martin is from the Southeastern US. He has experienced the betrayal of workplace bullying, despite always showing care for his leadership and colleagues. Gerald uses his policy experience to advocate for resolution options in law and organization policy.
WHY FOCUS ON WORKPLACE BULLYING
Prevalence of Bullying
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32% - Workers who experienced bullying
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14% - Workers who witnessed bullying
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62% - Chance of target losing job
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55% - Bullies are bosses
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29% - Bullies are coworkers
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74.8 million workers! Worse for Remote workers
Source: 2024 Workplace Bullying Institute U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey
Harms of Bullying
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Mental Health Issues: depression, anxiety, distress, burnout, suicide ideation
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Physical Health Issues: muscle issues, type 2 diabetes, physical stress response
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Family Issues: conflict, incivility, relationship dissatisfaction
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Occupational Issues: leave or intent to leave, sickness, absenteeism, role conflict
Source: A systematic review of research on the longitudinal consequences of workplace bullying and the mechanisms involved, Aggression and Violent Behavior (2021)
Little Recourse for Adult and Teen Workers
The only ways a target can fight back are:
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Harassment based on EEOC categories is involved
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An employer takes action
MOST BULLYING ENDS WHEN THE TARGET LEAVES...WITH NO REDRESS PROVIDED!!!
Legal and employer assistance is almost non-existent.
Source: 2024 Workplace Bullying Institute U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey
Current Advice Does Not Help
Common advice provided for those experiencing bullying:
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Check yourself first
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Create a support network
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Follow rules
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Confront the bully
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Keep records report to HR
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Leave
If these were effective, two-thirds of targets would not be leaving their jobs.
How many targets stay and just deal with it.
WE NEED BROAD LEGAL PROTECTION AGAINST WORKPLACE BULLIES AND THEIR ENABLERS!!!
Source: What to Do If You Are Bullied at Work, AARP (2013)
JAAWB VISION AND MISSION
Vision: “To be the most successful organization at addressing and preventing workplace bullying.”
Mission: “We promote respectful workplaces by removing adult bullies and enablers.“