I was reminded of the poem that Mary Ferguson-Pare showed me when she was VP at the University Health Network:
Dignity should come naturally in the workplace, one would think.
However it doesn’t always and you know what? That really stinks.
We all have the right to be happy and proud.
We all have the right to stand up and speak loud.
Dignity in the workplace is having a strong leader who believes in what you think.
And when you find he doesn’t, it can really push you over the brink.
It is key to be trusted, supported and respected by your boss.
But if it is not a given you may find you’re working with a loss.
A lost case is what bullying is I must say.
It is unhealthy and not worth the stress it brings its way.
A mess of a boss, I’ve had two experiences with thus far.
And I now know someone needs to stand up and set the bar.
We the people and the government too,
Have to stand up for what’s right, that’s what we should do.
Hostility in the workplace is a legal mess.
Hostility in the workplace is a bully’s best bet.
A bully is someone who is weak and threatened.
A bully is usually someone no one wants to recon.
So what do people tend to do when they meet a bully or two?
They may turn their backs or say shoo-shoo.
They may even shake their heads with some regret.
They may not feel pretentious but rather just regress.
To regress is to walk away from the pain.
To regress is to shed oneself from the shame.
I, however will stand up with strong pride.
I will admit because I cannot lie.
Bullies in the workplace cause stress and pain.
Bullies in the workplace should be held accountable for the blame.
Dignity in the workplace is not a given, I know.
Dignity in the workplace allows us to grow.
We all have the right to work for one who respects us for being strong.
Dignity is something required for us all to get along.
For those of you that know what I mean,
Please help me stand up for what we’ve seen.
For those of you that are bullies and mean, You know who are you but I know you won’t cause a scene.
Take a vacation and get some sun.
When you come back there is work to be done.
Come back with a plan to be better than who you are.
Come back with a plan to help set the bar.
Rise to the occasion, scary but true.
Come out from under because we can see through.
Don’t hide in shame, for I will not.
Be a man; stand up for what’s right, or get out of the spot.
You may hide behind your lies and shame.
I ask you to stand up and take your blame.
Because when you do you will be proud.
When you do there will be a crowd.
A crowd will stand up for you too.
Once you believe in yourself, we will believe too.
-Anon
for the impressive testimony of Stats Canada on their Federal Government Workplace Survey
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