When You Work for a Bully: Assessing Your Options and Taking Action

Inspired by her own experience with a workplace bully, Futterman (Self-Defense for Men and Women) describes in familiar detail the emotions, actions and toll on life that an overbearing boss can take. She explains how to spot the signs of bullying, distinguish between a bully and a negative manager, and understand how serious it is-""Of those targeted by bullies, 41 percent were diagnosed with depression and more than 80 percent reported effects that prevented them from being effective at work (severe anxiety, lost concentration, sleeplessness, etc.)."" She provides suggestions for dealing with bullies, addresses cases in which legal action might be in order and offers realistic advice for preparing to leave a job, noting that ""leaving your job without another one waiting is stressful...but if you don't take a deep breath, marshal your forces and do what it takes to move forward, you're likely to regret it later."" The tone of the book is appropriate-neither overly sensitive nor dismissive. Anecdotes from victims of workplace bullying underscore the author's points, illustrate bullies' traits and create a framework of support for the reader.