We have National, or International Day’s
to promote a cause, remember a significant historical event or draw attention
to something and seemingly anything.
Some days are trivial while others are ground breaking and important. Some days are well publicised while others pass largely unnoticed.
Last Friday appears to be one that passed largely unnoticed despite it being a day we were being called upon to act on a matter of significant importance.
Friday 16 March was “National Day Against Bullying and Violence”.
I am sure we all agree this to be a day worthy of attention.
However, I am quickly forming the opinion that such a day would be better expressed in a positive narrative aimed on achieving positive sustainable actions and activities.
It is better to act “for something” rather than “against something”.
How different would it be to call the day:-
"National Day of Compassion, Understanding, Respect, Courtesy and Decency?"
By way of example, let's look at the workplace.
If you have changed employers in recent years, chances are you had some form of new starter training. Further, you may even have had to complete some accreditations.
There is a high probability the first things you were taught about your new employer was their anti-bullying, anti-discrimination, workplace harassment and equal opportunity policies.
Examples would have been provided of bullying behaviours and other unacceptable practices.
Instead of educating against poor behaviour, would it not be far more effective, positive and sustainable to educated for good behaviour?
How powerful would it be if a workplace made it clear that the minimum requirement is use of the words “Please and Thank you”? Very old fashioned, but very classy too.
What if smiling and saying good morning to colleagues and using their name was adopted as the proper and courteous thing to do?
From the Board Table down, speaking in a refrained and cordial tone is expected and swearing is frowned upon.
The problem is, what I propose is far more difficult and needs to be practiced by all, at all levels, all of the time.
Then again, nothing worthwhile is easy.
All it needs is an employer genuinely committed to a safe, positive and equal workplace.
An employer who means what they say rather than just wanting to “tick the proverbial box.”
Some days are trivial while others are ground breaking and important. Some days are well publicised while others pass largely unnoticed.
Last Friday appears to be one that passed largely unnoticed despite it being a day we were being called upon to act on a matter of significant importance.
Friday 16 March was “National Day Against Bullying and Violence”.
I am sure we all agree this to be a day worthy of attention.
However, I am quickly forming the opinion that such a day would be better expressed in a positive narrative aimed on achieving positive sustainable actions and activities.
It is better to act “for something” rather than “against something”.
How different would it be to call the day:-
"National Day of Compassion, Understanding, Respect, Courtesy and Decency?"
If you have changed employers in recent years, chances are you had some form of new starter training. Further, you may even have had to complete some accreditations.
There is a high probability the first things you were taught about your new employer was their anti-bullying, anti-discrimination, workplace harassment and equal opportunity policies.
Examples would have been provided of bullying behaviours and other unacceptable practices.
Instead of educating against poor behaviour, would it not be far more effective, positive and sustainable to educated for good behaviour?
How powerful would it be if a workplace made it clear that the minimum requirement is use of the words “Please and Thank you”? Very old fashioned, but very classy too.
What if smiling and saying good morning to colleagues and using their name was adopted as the proper and courteous thing to do?
From the Board Table down, speaking in a refrained and cordial tone is expected and swearing is frowned upon.
Addressing bullying and appropriate
workplace behaviour by re-setting the narrative to the positive must surely
represent a better way. If nothing else, it is worth a try because it can be
argued the current approach is not working. It does however tick a box.
The problem is, what I propose is far more difficult and needs to be practiced by all, at all levels, all of the time.
Then again, nothing worthwhile is easy.
All it needs is an employer genuinely committed to a safe, positive and equal workplace.
An employer who means what they say rather than just wanting to “tick the proverbial box.”
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