Last Friday, March 7, 2008, the Ontario Health Promotion Email (OHPE) Bulletin featured an article by Glenn French, of The Canadian Initiative on Workplace Violence called "From Words to Weapons: "Bullying" in Canada". 
When we think of workplaces and health promotion, we might first think of wellness and fitness programs, not the issues of violence in the workplace. 
Glenn French offers a different and vital perspective: "The landscape of workplace violence now includes 'intimidation', 'bullying', 'harassment' and a host of other behaviours whose only purpose is to isolate and denigrate the intended victim."
Find it at:
http://www.ohpe.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9445&Itemid=78 
or if that URL has broken (should end in &Itemid=78) go to
 http://www.ohpe.ca  and click on 'read more' after the introductory part of the feature article.

Once again, the OHPE Bulletin was ahead of the mainstream media in highlighting an important issue. On Monday, March 10th, the Globe and Mail carried a large article on Workplace Bullies, that garnered 82 responses in a day. 
See
Bullying a serious job hazard - by Patrick White
New research shows that employees tormented at work were more likely to quit than those sexually harassed
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080310.wlbullying10/BNStory/PersonalTech/  

In a related story...

Support workers at risk of harassment, abuse
Canadians working in long-term care facilities face an "extraordinary" amount of physical violence, unwanted sexual attention and racism - far more than colleagues in other countries with publicly funded health-care systems, a new study says.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080311.CAREGIVERS11//TPStory/National   

and
Long-term care workers face workplace violence
Elderly residents lashing out because inadequate staffing has eroded care, survey says
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/332056 


Glenn French also wrote an earlier feature article in OHPE Bulletin in November on workplace violence. Please check out Bulletin 540 - November 16, 2007, at
 http://www.ohpe.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9124&Itemid=78
 for an overview of a comprehensive framework to minimize the risk of workplace violence.


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Alison Stirling,
Knowledge Management Developer,
The Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse,
180 Dundas Street W., Suite 1900 
Toronto, ON M5G 1Z8 
Direct: 416-408-6918 or 416-408-2249 x 2227
Toll-free (in Ontario)  1-800-397-9567 x2227
Email: [log in to unmask]  
www.opc.on.ca
News! On April 1, 2008 the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse / le Centre ontarien d'information en prévention becomes 
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