Coercive Control is a pattern of behaviors intended to exploit or dominate people. The intent is to gain and maintain power.
Signs of Coercive Control:
- Unreasonable demands, followed by threats (layoffs) and pressure
- Financial control
- Bullying behavior
- Restricting your activities
- Monitoring your activities through technology
- Intimidation
- Removing your freedom and autonomy
- Gaslighting
- Shifting the goal posts so you can’t meet the goals no matter how hard you try.
- Reinforcing hierarchical roles
We have some good managers, but Wells Fargo leaders seem to be extraordinarily well versed in controlling and manipulative behaviors while reducing their employees’ ability to take action or stand up for themselves.