Managers have been well-trained on what discrimination, retaliation, harassment and bullying look and feel like in the workplace. But “reverse bullying” often gets short shrift, even though it is just as real.
Subordinates have been known to “intimidate upward,” making their managers afraid to hold them directly accountable for their actions. And managers have often turned a blind eye to inappropriate workplace behaviors in order to avoid confrontation at all costs. Intimidating a manager can in fact become some workers’ standard operating procedure, no matter how many new managers come their way. In fact, their defiance and audacity may cause all but the most self-assured and confident managers to back off.
