The New Resilience

They don't have to be the supervisor or manager. I am working with an individual now that is making every one's life difficult and is getting away with it. She won't approve reimbursements for government travel and per diems unless there is a receipt for every single item. The DoD does not require a receipt for expenses under $75.00 yet she is questioning a $11.00 parking fee. I'm thinking that is cheap for that particular city, and there is no need to question that expense.
She must not have control or power in personal life and needs to wreak havoc at work to feel powerful.

Yes, that's often the source of such behavior, and it creates emotional distress for those subjected to it. Perhaps a group of you could raise this with a higher level person, if her policy is not required by regs.

The management at our company has targeted our particular department since we were all hired 2 1/2 years ago, despite us increasing the first year profits by 900% in that amount of time. Out of three original managers, one was harassed so relentlessly that she went on medical leave and later filed a lawsuit (and received a settlement). Another went on medical leave and threatened to sue, but they negotiated a 6 month severance for her to leave permanently. Now I am the only manager left standing, am a high-level performer and always over-deliver, yet am targeted and forced to arrive earlier than anyone else in the department (if I am a few minutes late the Executive VP is standing outside my office looking at her watch...but doesn't actually need anything work-related from me). Now my own doctor wants me to go on medical leave because of the non-stop anxiety I am experiencing.

My assessment is that the managers at the top are used to being the experts of our business. Our department's focus is on "new" technology (at least compared to their 40 year old business model) and they are afraid and resentful that they are no longer the experts of everything within our building. Rather than harnessing our skills and letting us shine (and taking the credit, as they certainly could), they beat us down and belittle us...creating a hostile work environment and terrible morale.

I heartily agree that most of this is caused by a sense of powerlessness, insecurity and fear. Which all seems so pointless to me in our work place. We create marketing and advertising, the world's survival does not hinge on what we do. It astounds me how so many people have to create drama in their lives and wreak havoc on the lives of all around them just to feel a tiny bit of importance.

Worked @ a nonprofit agency and the HR director is the tyrant. Fasley RIF staff and pinpointing informants to give her information. These people do it so they can stay out of his line of fire and keep their jobs. My question is can this department for helping employees continue to make the work environment hostile.

A person deserves to be respected and given a chance to show what they can do anywhere from the home to the workplace and the community. Having psychological problems and experiencing at workplace really violates the human rights of the person. Being bothered by situations that produces psychological problems and anxiety is not healthy. Balance should be there to avoid more stressful and chaotic workplace.