We've written here before about bullying in the workplace.  The statistics are compelling as to how pervasive workplace bullying has become.  And now the legislature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is taking up the debate and is poised to take historical steps toward preventing and halting bullying of children in our schools.

Unfortunately, it took the suicide of a teenage girl and the lack of responsiveness by her town's public school system to stir the debate. Now, people from all points on our societal spectrum are weighing in.  The discussions have become very complex and passionate, including the topics of cyber-bullying, parental responsibilities, teacher and administrator obligations, protection of alleged perpetrators, proper punishment, legal repercussions, TV & movies, video games, and so much more.  Overwhelmingly, the consensus is that bullying in our schools must stop, and that our lawmakers will be required to put in place the legal measures to ensure the health and safety of our children.  Nothing positive can come from a young girl taking her own life, but we must learn and improve as a society from tragedies such as this one.

As someone who has frequently witnessed and dealt with workplace bullying, I have often wondered what the workplace bully was like when he or she was a child and whether they could have been a victim or a perpetrator of bullying in school.

As always, let us know if we can help.

- Lou G.