Work Abuse: How to Recognize It and Survive It

by Chauncey Hare, Chauncey Have, Judith Wyatt

Millions of people hate their jobs. They may think the problem is stress or burn-out, but for most of these people, the true problem is an abusive work environment: one that disempowers people and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0870471090
• ISBN13: 9780870471094
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Schenkman Books
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

A ocmprehensive book for study and reflection

I can't say I am totally objective at this point, as I have met the author, and found him to be all he claims and more. Let's go back to before I met him: I read this book about 5-6 years ago for the first time. I also read, "Mobbing", The Bully at Work", and others, which are all good. This, by far, I found, was the most comprehensive, and, it had the most non-violent ways to deal with the "work abuse". I have been in an abusive work environment most of the 35+ years with my company. I cannot leave at this point. I am too close to retirement, and, I was a single parent most of those years. I have learned from the book that one can take a non-violent, and pro-active approach to their work lives. (ie: I do not fight the system, and I work on my personal talents, developing a skillset, in lieu of suing, which would be fruitless and taxing). At first, I didn't get that message exactly. It helped to talk all this through with others. But, I do know that this book rang true when I first read it, and I think, with the next successive reads, I learned more and more. This is a comprehensive text; no fluff here. I keep it in my arsenal, and I refer back to it often. I am on my third copy of this, and I bought the third one here used and in great condition. Trust this author. When he writes about "systems", pay attention; it is a very important way to view one cause of the problem in workplaces. No need to rush through this book. It is to be grasped. Bring it in to a discussion group, or share it with a therapist. Reflect on the ocncepts of this book often. Personally, it has made my work life, and as a result -- my home life -- bearable.

Work Abuse Hidden better than spousal and/or child abuse

I am reading, for the second time, WORK ABUSE - HOW TO RECOGNIZE AND SURVIVE IT by Judith Wyatt and Chauncey Hare. Work abuse is a very unpopular subject and is at least equally as widespread as is spousal abuse and/or child abuse. It is the best hidden of any abuse inflicted by one person upon another. Work abuse replicates child abuse in that the abused is scapegoated, trapped and alone without help from either inside or outside the system. Work stress is simply a euphemism for "work abuse," that hampers job quality and production as well as cripples, disables, and destroys the quality of life for millions every day and has been rampant in our society for many years. Work abuse disempowers, dehumanizes and destroys self-esteem through systematic denial that the abuse is happening. More often than not, work abuse affects an entire organization. Society as a whole tends to reinforce work abuse and place the blame on the traumatized victims. Human resource offices (another euphemism for personnel offices) seem likely places for victims to find support. Human resource departments strictly protect the organization. Millions of people enter the workplace every Monday saying, "is it Friday yet;" on Friday, millions more say, "thank God it's Friday." Others frequently sigh and struggle just to get inside the buildings and refer to their situations as "burn-out" and "work stress," when realistically for most of those people, the true problem is an abusive work environment. This book explains how and why work abuse happens. It offers an understandable plan for healing, and includes in-depth case studies, exercises, and worksheets to guide the reader. This book is a must read for everyone who is now employed, has been employed, or ever plans to be employed. Flora Stringer fnstringer@kricket.net

A survivor's reaction to "Work Abuse"

Wyatt and Hare are doing for work abuse what Anita Hill did for sexual abuse. After suffering four years of chronic scapegoating and three years of subsequent post-traumatic stress disorder, "Work Abuse" finally afforded me the luxury of crying from relief. Though my professional career is over now, I can take deep comfort in knowing that what happened to me was very real and very much denied by everyone concerned. Americans are indeed being brutalized in the workforce; we blame ourselves. But this abuse can be recognized and dealt with, thereby sparing careers, lives, families, and even the abusive institutions and organizations that traumatize us. We owe much gratitude to Judith Wyatt and Chauncey Hare for their profound introduction to the dialogue on this issue of work abuse. Let the healing begin.

Essential for Work Abuse Toolkit

Work Abuse is the book those of us toiling in abusiveworkplaces havebeen looking for. In clear concise language, the book offers real and positive means to survive while working to reduce abuse in workplaces. It is an essential tool kit for Union leaders and others who have seen the devastation of work abuse. The solutions offered do not cause further harm to the individuals caught up in this situation. I have used the methods in the book and have provided it to many others. The universal response is delight at finally finding a way to survive and grow despite an abusive work situation. I recommend it highly.