Workplace Bullying

What exactly is bullying? It is classified as repeated, harmful treatment that is costly to all of the people involved; bullying typically includes verbal abuse and threatening actions. In the workplace, bullying is slightly different, as more factors come into play.

Bullying is not interpersonal conflict. (Conflict and bullying are two entirely different situations that arise). Bullying is also not harassment and does not mean creating a hostile work environment.

3 types of workplace bullying include:
•Aggressive communication (anger, yelling, insults, etc).
•Acts aimed at humiliation (purposely embarrassing other employees).
•Manipulation of work (Examples: unmanageable workloads, purposely withholding important information, changing tasks without notice, etc.)

Statistics involving workplace bullying:
•30-50% of workers are bullied
•On average, a bully wastes $180 million in lost time and productivity
•Targets are usually bullied for 6 months – 5 years. (On average the target usually leaves after two years).
•53% of targets filed a complaint about being bullied in their workplace
44% of employers did nothing
18% of employers made the problem worse

Bullying at work can create a wide variety of issues for the people who are involved. Instances of depression, anxiety, and absenteeism tend to rise. Components such as work quality, loyalty, customer satisfaction, communication, and ability to meet goals tend to decrease. Overall, bullying can greatly impact a work force and the ability of workers to successfully complete their job.

How can we help?
Targets should document facts about what is happening to them at work. They should approach their supervisor and/or human resource department with these facts and try to end the bullying. It is important to take these grievances seriously and strive to end bullying in the workplace.

Bullying is something that should not be able to make its way into any workplace environment. However, if it does, it should be acknowledged and treated seriously to ensure that people do not resent coming to work every day. It is also important to note that a happy employee generally helps to create a pleasant work environment and a more successful business.

For more information visit: www.alliedtrades-online.com

SOURCES
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/deal-workplace-bully.html
EAPA Presentation- Seeking Civility: Understanding & Eradicating Bullying at Work

Vivitrol

What is Vivitrol used for?
•Treating alcohol dependence
•To prevent relapse to opioid dependence and other street drugs (after detoxification)

*It is important to note that Vivitrol will be most effective when combined with other alcoholism or drug recovery programs.

How does it work?
Vivitrol comes as a Naltrexone injection in liquid form. It is injected into the muscle tissue of the buttocks by a healthcare provider once every four weeks. It is important to keep the appointments that are made over these time periods."It is believed that VIVITROL works by providing continuous levels of its active ingredient naltrexone. Naltrexone blocks activity in the brain's reward system (the "limbic system") which is thought to play a central role in alcohol dependence"

What are the risks?
•Severe reactions at the injection site
•Liver damage or hepatitis
•Risk of opioid overdose (using opioids in amounts that you used before treatment with VIVITROL can lead to overdose and death)
•Severe allergic pneumonia
•Serious allergic reactions
•And many other less severe reactions including: anxiety, nausea, coughing, hives, chest pain, stomach pain, and dry mouth

Vivitrol is a relatively new drug so there are added risks. However, it has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and has been studied in individuals 18 and older. Although many of the risks are very severe, this treatment may make the recovery process easier for those that choose to receive it. Relapse is a very serious problem that people face with addiction and being able to help avoid it is an idea way ahead of its time. It seems too good to be true, but since technology has advanced, it seems to be worth giving it a shot. Vivitrol offers an answer to people struggling with addiction when they wonder: how am I going to get through this? It may be all the help we need.

For more information visit: www.alliedtrades-online.com

SOURCES:
www.vivitriol.com
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000486
http://www.vivitrol.com/Patient/About_Vivitrol/how_vivitrol_works.aspx
www.aboutlawsuits.com