Whinge, whinge, whinge. If you want to feel like a victim, go right ahead, but don't expect me to feel sorry for you. I don't have time for people who always seek to blame others for things they perceive as unsatisfactory in their own lives.

This reads like a plea for entry to the "Sisterhood of the Snivelling Rants". Why is it that so many women professionals seem to expect a free kick and get so upset when someone has the temerity to disagree?

It doesn't reflect well.

It might also explain some of the 50% lower productivity of women in the workforce. It's hard to be productive when you're constantly worying about people treating you the way you think you deserve.

A good article. I'm not sure that bullying is corrupting capitalism but it is certainly destroying workplace productivity to the tune of about $10B a year according to HREOC.

My career(s) in politics and uni teaching were fairly rich in strong personalities and I met my fair share of narcissist psychopaths. This might sound odd but I always felt sorry for those who stood by and watched, who kept a low profile. The taint of cowardice must be hard to live with.

It's also curious that Anti-Skeptic's comment is the reality denying stance of the bully. Probably hasn't had his prunes this morning.

Bullying can have a huge impact on productivity and long reaching effects on those who experience bullying. Bullying happens even if there are over-reporting of claims as I think is Antiseptic's beef.

The issue I have with the article is, it does not matter how many more regulations are implemented to increase the rights of freedom of speech or to reduce bullying it will not eradicate these behaviours. And regulation is only as good as the leaders who are vested with that responsibility within an organisation. If there is any wrongdoing to be swept under the carpet or whitewashed in some way, regulation alone won't help. However, the advantage of legislation is it provides some legal redress should matters extend that far.

We already have freedom of speech ingrained in legislation. It is in the practise of FOS that comes with it's own repercussions in some institutions at some times.

There are places free of bullying but cultures change often with changes in leadership or changes in staff.

The author has already made a difference in writing about her experiences in the accounting and audit professions in seeking greater integrity in those processes.

There are similar distortions of figures and descriptions in some government annual reports, or minimal information provided to avoid greater scrutiny. I wonder if there is similar pressure on the ANAO in undertaking government audits, often within the reports are claims that certain documents or ministerial submissions could not be found and put down simply to poor record keeping. Those documents must be somewhere.

I am glad to stimulate comments. Let me state that despite bullying I always argued unflinchingly for what I believed in and I did achieve significant changes to government changes and practices of which I am very proud. As far as being a victim, I am debt free and able to do exactly what I want with no fears of financial discrimination. How many can say that!! so what I have tried to do is give others hope to speak out. Regulations are necessary but as stated, the practice of prudential supervision is a fine art - as Roosevelt said, walk and talk softly but carry a big gun - it is the ability to escalate sanctions that is important. There is no doubt in my mind that universities have deteriorated to the point of academics being more concerned re their security than their invaluable contributions to their science. So "skeptic" continue to post and attempt to belittle my description of what happens to whistleblowers - to me they are not the victims but the true free spirits of the world. You my dear are the bully who will disappear into the netherworld and never achieve any serenity or true freedom. Like the last two posts I feel sorry for you and your ilk.

I wondered what that sticky stuff running out the bottom of my monitor was.

Turned out to be lashings of ego.

Since it didn't also come out of my monitor, it must have been yours.