Why we deal with tough issues

I recently attended a course on dealing with abusive behaviour in the workplace. It was a worthwhile course overall. It provided me some tools to recognize problems and it gave me some examples of abuse that I may not have picked up on in the past.

Throughout the course we were inundated with statistics about how much more productive and efficient workplaces are where abusive behaviour is minimized. The facilitator seemed to revel in helping us justify to ourselves and our organizations why we should deal pro-actively with bullying, harassment and the like.

Hands outstretched to each other — Image by Nemo, click for link.

It really started to get under my skin after awhile. If I have promoted someone into a leadership position and they need to be given a business justification for not allowing one of their staff to harass another, I am thinking I have made a selection mistake.

Good leaders deal with abusive, unethical or dishonest behaviour on their teams, and many other difficult things, because they know it is the right thing to do, not because they think it will improve their efficiency.

Some things go beyond the bottom line.

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.