Career & Practice
Are you the bully at work? ‘Stand Up to Bullying Challenge’ includes introspection, education
Lawyers and bar leaders are being urged to take a six-day “Stand Up to Bullying Challenge” to address and prevent bullying in the workplace. (Image from Shutterstock)
Lawyers and bar leaders are being urged to take a six-day “Stand Up to Bullying Challenge” to address and prevent bullying in the workplace.
The challenge is thought to be the first of its kind issued to the legal profession, according to a June 10 press release.
The challenge follows a survey of Illinois lawyers that found that 18% left a job practicing law because of bullying and 24% had been bullied at work in the previous year. The survey was part of an October 2024 study released by the Illinois Supreme Court’s Commission on Professionalism, the same group launching the bullying challenge.
Day 4 of the challenge calls on participants to review bullying behaviors identified in the October report. Bullying can include verbal intimidation, excessive criticism of work, spreading of malicious rumors and unrealistic work demands, according to the report.
Then participants should consider whether they experienced or witnessed bullying—or whether they were the bully, the challenge suggests.
Those who were the bully should consider what was behind their actions and how they can change the way that they treat others.
Day 5 of the challenge says lawyers should investigate whether their workplace has a bullying policy and, if not, to bring it up with leadership.
The Day 5 challenge also suggests reviewing a “bystander tip sheet” on what to do when witnessing bullying, such as interrupting the bullying or calling out the behavior as wrong.
The Illinois State Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association have already signed up to participate in the challenge, which can be completed at any time.
The challenge was released during a free June 10 CLE seminar called “Standing Up to Intimidation: Confronting Bullying in the Legal Profession.” Co-sponsors of the event included the ABA Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and the ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice.
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