There is a reason why there are more bullys in some companies (as is the case in Enbridge) and fewer in others.
This is not because a company mysteriously brings together people of a similar character and behavioral patterns, but it is because the culture in a company comes from the highest positions.
I don't know if it's possible to make a meaningful change of toxic atmosphere without buy-in from the leadership?
16 replies (most recent on top)
"How would like to see your facts and data presented ? Like how exactly?"
I'm not saying I know how to prove it. I'm saying that stating that it's systemic is not supportable either.
The fact that something is hard to demonstrate is not a good indicator of its veracity.
Whether or not a problem is systemic is hard to assess by bean counting. But I would say the way HR handles these issues is reflective of a systemic problem. I was severely bullied for 2 years. I finally mustered up the courage to go to HR. I was gaslit. My career progression stalled afterwards. I heard this from other colleagues who spoke to me about their own experiences with HR when I finally decided to leave Enbridge. So yeah, it’s systemic.
Strange that the post in question was removed. I recall that it added to the conversation, but I don’t recall the exact message. Too bad it is gone.
I have worked for many companies and I can say with certainty that Enbridge is one of the ones in which bullies and narcissistic individuals thrive.
I remember one VP in Public Affairs (a woman who has retired; I’ll withhold her name out of decency) who would pick out employees she deemed to be weak and make their lives a living he-l.
AM himself is a narcissist bully who sets the tone for the company.
I cringe each time I see one of his type promoted.
How would like to see your facts and data presented ? Like how exactly? Should there be a survey monkey sent out for employees to complete? :P but then again, it will just people griping right? You think HR will share the number of complaints they have received with you ? Would you like us to all line up outside your office as proof? Like what exactly would be considered Oreos to believe us?
"There are threads all over this site teeming with conversations about being bullied at UG and EGD."
Yes, there are. But this is a convergence point where the people come specifically to complain, and so I would expect them to be here in numbers. And I would expect some percentage of those people to have legitimate grievances, and some... not.
But it's like hanging out at customer service and counting returns without asking how many units were sold. It's incomplete information. As the saying goes, an anecdote is not data.
The question is, it it really pervasive? And with a company of over 12,000, how many would you need to see before you could declare it systemic.
"Forgive me for making conclusions."
Interesting. My post, from which you quote, is gone. It wasn't confrontational, it wasn't abusive, it violated no standards that I can imagine... it was neutral and calm. Odd.
Thanks for adding to the conversation, it showed me (yet again) how the white perspective is the ONLY perspective. It must be so amazing to be protected by your privilege and discredit others who may have a worse experience than yours. There are threads all over this site teeming with conversations about being bullied at UG and EGD. But that’s not enough for you to believe us, is it. People with these views are part of the problem. In fact, it’s the biggest problem.
You can’t conclude that the abusive, bullying behaviour is systemic just because it’s happening to you.
Forgive me for making conclusions.
When it’s happening to me and I witness it happening to almost everyone else who isn’t an entitled white male what conclusions might you suggest would be more accurate?
UG was nothing but bullying and insiders chumming up to management...I realize that quitting is an option, after noticing you are not in the click, and you dont lick boots, but not after you have any kind of tenure and a family, you are stuck.
27 years at Enbridge. 15+ direct leaders during that time. 30+ direct reports cycled through my teams. I've NEVER experienced anything like bullying described here. Not even close.
I don't know... sounds to me like typical anti-management sentiment echoed by countless staff caught in organizational change (or union actions). Might be true in pockets, but not systemically.
"Beware though. Once Enbridge reaches a critical mass of bullies/narcissists who are intent on “ki----g” each other, it will undergo a relentless downward spiral."
Maybe? 73 years and counting, and the collapse doesn't seem nigh.
Too many of the managers are too busy boot licking their superiors while totally ignoring, disrespecting and/or bullying the people below them. In other words, they don't manage.
That is problematic. My advice, which I learned the hard way, is to never let down your guard or show signs of weakness. The second they smell blood, they bring out their knives. Also keep careful notes on what they say and do. These will come in handy when the gaslighting begins.
Tone at the top is: stomp on the person below you, ensure you win at all costs, look good in front of the bosses, blame the other person, hide weaknesses, take everything you can. I’ve had to harden myself to work at Enbridge as the culture here doesn’t align with my values and authentic self.
They originated from very challenging, non-nurturing family backgrounds, most of them. Their behaviour arises out of self defence. Inside they are shattered. I see it behind AM’s stare.
I couldn’t agree more. AM, BN and CH (for starters) came from challenging and harsh families. The developed their narcissistic and bullying personalities and behaviours as defence and survival mechanisms.
At Enbridge, bullies/ narcissistically rise to the top on the backs of more normal people who can’t/won’t stoop to the levels required.
Beware though. Once Enbridge reaches a critical mass of bullies/narcissists who are intent on “ki----g” each other, it will undergo a relentless downward spiral.
The premise of your question is absurd and unsupported. Exactly how many bullies are there, and how many are normal for a company of this size? What makes you think it's more prevalent at Enbridge? Show me your work. I suspect, as my father would say, that you believe it "on account of because".