Absolutely! Workplace bullies are like water flowing downhill: put a barrier in front of them and they will find a way around, over, or under it. They adjust their style or their course, but they follow their plan relentlessly. Organizations expend a great deal of energy and money installing prevention programs, but all too often the experience at work is not caused by the company, it is caused by the mob mentality that takes over from time to time in certain places. Sure, the company might still be responsible for conduct on its premises, but often remedial action only occurs after the fact.

The bullies can operate in many devious ways, but it is always about attracting attention to themselves. Whether it's physical violence or creating an embarrassing situation for someone else, it's always about "look how clever I am" Either way it's the work of a sick, perverted mind that flies in the face of common decency and kindness in the workplace.

Just yesterday I heard about a junior cook in a hotel restaurant. He is a bit simple, but just works away and does what he's told. Last week there was an argument among some of the staff, and a couple of people left in the huff. When management called them on the carpet they both claimed the fight had been started by the junior person, who had absolutely nothing to do with it. The perpetrators had tormented this young man mercilessly since he started, and have now conspired to get him blamed for something they themselves did. The junior cook was fired on the very day his probationary period ended and he would have qualified for benefits his family desperately needed.

In another case a secretary had a favorite victim. She saw herself as the pseudo office manager, and part of her control strategy was derived from her being the primary person to answer the phone and receive the mail. Unfortunately this person was very high strung and prone to fits of emotion with everybody except her direct manager, whom she doted over. All the staff, clerical and management, were aware she might decide she didn't like them for a time, but one employee in particular, a female manager, was constantly in her sights. The secretary was a very attractive lady, but so was the other person and the abuse was nothing more than personal jealousy.

Telephone messages were not passed along, presentations were sabotaged, meetings with clients were aborted due to "scheduling conflicts" and both incoming and outgoing mail found their way into

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