Lateral Violence

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Lateral Violence may seem to you like an odd addition to this website.  There are two times when Lateral Violence is part of the Compassion Fatigue picture.  The first is when a person strikes out because they are suffering and can’t find an adequate outlet for their feelings. The second is when a person is a victim of someones Lateral Violence, and it increases their Compassion Fatigue and feelings of hopelessness.

 

Lateral Violence or Horizontal Violence is an aggressive act between colleagues.  It is usually verbal but can be physical.  It can be subtle or overt.  It can be perpetuated by a group of colleagues against one person.  Lateral Violence lasting over six months is considered bullying.

 

Lateral Violence can include but is not limiting to the following behaviors:

 

 1.  Being yelled or screamed at in front of others

 2.  Gossiping about someone behind their back

 3.  Being blamed for things that aren’t the persons fault

 4.  Being assigned undesirable workloads consistently

 5.  Having a person’s work sabotaged

 6.  Having important information withheld effecting a person’s ability to do their job

 7.  Having thoughts or feelings ignored

 8.  Raising eyebrows or making faces in response to a comment

 9.  Being excluded from activities or conversations.

10. Being physically threatened

11. Broken confidences

12. Snide or abrupt remarks directed at one person

 

A Call To Action

Attempt to discuss the problem with the person as soon as possible.  Start your conversation with questions like, “ Is there an issue that we need to talk about?”  Are you unhappy with something I have said or done?”  “I would really like to discuss this with you so we can have a good working relationship.”  If you don’t feel safe or comfortable addressing this problem alone, have your manager or a human resources representative assist you.  Most organizations have a policy against Lateral violence.  Take the time to read it.  That will provide some direction for you.

 

    “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with you eyes, you may kill 

    me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise.”

                                Maya Angelou

 

In 2008, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAH) developed guidelines for hospitals identifying behaviors that undermine a culture of safety with suggested actions.

 

Always be respectful and do not participate in any gossiping or backstabbing.  You will need a trusted confidant to discuss problems with, and to allow you to vent your emotions.  Do not discuss the problem with everyone.  Keep the situation as private as possible.

 

    “Sometimes you just need to talk about something, not to get sympathy or help,

    but to kill it’s power by allowing the truth of things to hit the air.”

                                Karen Salmansohn

 

It’s always a good practice to take a few minutes to look at how/if your behavior may have contributed to the situation.  You may never know the answer to that question.  The problem may be deeper than any simple explanation.  Try not to take it personally, it may be their problem. Sometimes just educating about and labeling a it as Lateral Violence may change the behavior.

 

 

Sources:

    Bulling in the workplace: Reversing a culture (ANA 2012)

    Sherman, R Ed D, RN FAAN,  Breaking the cycle of Horizontal Violence on nursing

        units 2012

    Bartholomew K, RN M Ending Nurse to Nurse Hostility, 2006

    McKeyhan, D. Resilient Professionals