Advocacy in Difficult Situations. AFSCME Local 88 Steward Training October 19, 2011

Transcription

1 Advocacy in Difficult Situations AFSCME Local 88 Steward Training October 19, 2011

2 Types of Challenges Dealing with victims of sexual harassment or bullying Dealing with ineffective or arrogant people Dealing with angry people

3 Dealing with victims of sexual harassment or bullying

4 Look for Signs of Possible Health Issues Depression Anxiety Post-Traumatic Stress

5 Depression Sexual harassment victims often show symptoms of depression. As a steward, you can tactfully inquire or notice them.

6 Warning Signs of Depression Sadness/emptiness Crying or tearfulness Loss of interest and pleasure in life activities Inability to think clearly Inappropriate guilt Suicidal thoughts Insomnia or hypersomnia Fatigue or low energy Feelings of worthlessness Suicidal thoughts Weight gain or loss

7 Advocating for Depressed People Sexual harassment victims may be eligible for workers compensation benefits including counseling, time off, or medical care. Connect the victim to a qualified therapist if the person is not in treatment. Recognize that self-blame, guilt, shame, nightmares, etc. can be part of a treatable medical condition.

8 Advocacy Tips Recognize that depression may cause victims to be unable to take action without help. Help the victim to make a plan. Taking action helps the victim recover. Point out that the person s mental injuries deserve attention.

9 Workplace Advocacy for Sexual Harassment Victims Depression may be a qualifying disability under the ADA. Work functions may be affected. Consider asking for accommodations.

10 Anxiety Disorders Panic attacks Post-traumatic stress Excessive Worry

11 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Harassment victims often have some PTSD from traumatic events. They may relive the harassment. They may become avoidant. Typically they have problems sleeping, difficulty concentrating, irritability, or angry outbursts.

12 Stress Disorders/Anxiety Marked anxiety Subjective feelings of numbing, detachment, disassociation, de-realization. Hypervigilence Inability to function.

13 What can you do? Recognize the signs and symptoms. Recognize potential WC claim. If symptoms are acute, member may need to access various forms of leave. PTSD and anxiety disorders are treatable. Recognize that until the medical issues are resolved, the member cannot make important decisions.

14 Advocacy Tips Understand that victims deserve reassurance, treatment and understanding. Do not take anger or lack of cooperation personally. Understand that mood disorders are not permanent. Understand the right to reasonable accommodation for people with anxiety, depression, or PTSD

15 Dealing with ineffective people

16 Personality Disorders A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedless from the expectations of the individual s culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence, and leads to distress and impairment. DSM-IV at 629.

17 Avoidant Personality Disorder Needs constant advice and reassurance to make any decision Needs others to take responsibility Will volunteer to do unpleasant tasks to get nurturance Lacks confidence to take care of self

18 More on Avoidant Folks Needs constant close relationships for support Afraid of being alone Can t express disagreement with others for fear of loss of support

19 Dependent Personality Needs excessive support and advice Can t express disagreement for fear of loss of support Can t initiate Needs constant relationships for care and support. Unrealistically afraid of being alone.

20 Narcissistic Personality Grandiose sense of self-importance Believes he or she is special and entitled Seeks excessive admiration Is interpersonally exploitative Lacks empathy for others May be arrogant and above others

21 Examples of PDs at Work Stewards who won t file a grievance for fear that the boss will get upset (avoidant) Grievants who call you day and night and can t do anything, even when you ve met and agreed upon a plan. (dependent.) Supervisors or managers who treat employees like pions except the chosen few (narcissitic)

22 Advocacy Tips for Dealing with Dependant and Avoidant People Depersonalize conflict. Listen and show understanding. Give people tasks that suit their personality. Be realistic and get support.

23 Advocacy For Narcissists Breathe deeply. Depersonalize. Work in a team with someone the narcissist respects Do not expect gratitude or agreement.

24 Dealing with Anger

25 Check for Mood Disorders Anger can be a sign of depression, especially in men. Anger can be a sign of an anxiety disorder such as PTSD.

26 Rageaholics A rageaholic or "anger addict" is a person who gets excited by expressing rage, or a person prone to extreme anger with little or no provocation. While "rageaholic" is not a formal medical diagnosis, it has been developed as a lay psychology term by counselors and anger-management groups seeking to help people who are chronically angry and who compulsively express fits of rage.

27 Anger Can be healthy. Venting can create intimacy. Has a cause. Is temporary and normal. Rage Is generally not healthy. Rage is always destructive. Has an excuse. Is chronic and abnormal.

28 Signs of Rageaholism Interrupting, Yelling, Staring to Cause Fear, Angry Driving, Eye Rolling, Demeaning others, Cursing, Namecalling, Threatening, Pointing, Sarcasm, Throwing Things. Constantly Criticizing Others

29 What to do? Don t be co-dependent Tell the person when he or she is raising her voice. Tell the person when he or she is interrupting you. Make a plan on how to respond if you feel demeaned or manipulated. Recognize the problem and strategize.

30 Conclusion Understanding psychological disorders can help us advocate for victims. Understanding personality disorders can help us maintain our own peace of mind. Recognizing the difference between anger and rage will help us deal with bullies in the workplace.

31 Knowledge is Power