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Perpetrators

Perpetrators of Workplace Abuse or Bullies are dangerous. There is no such a thing as a "Lovable Rogue" or a "Benevolent Bully". Perpetrators can destroy a Target's life and these wounds don't heal easy.

Perpetrators do not treat their colleagues with dignity and respect. Read what type of behaviour constitutes workplace hostilities by reading articles elsewhere on this webpage. Although some perpetrators display sociopath tendencies, other perpetrators would adopt an aggressive management style or a "persona" displaying narcissistic, neurotic and immature ego defenses.

In "Don't take SHIT from Hyenas in the Workplace" four types of perpetrators are distinguished. There are the POWER HYENAS (strategists and their closest allies), those who thrive on power and special knowledge, those who use power to hide incompetence - these are brutal Hyenas at the workplace. The COMPETITIVE HYENA is opportunistic and competitive and will use every means at their disposal, including dishonesty and emotional abuse, to reach their goals. The IMPIMPI HYENAS (Support Hyenas) are the lesser Hyenas but nevertheless dangerous and menacing while LONER Hyenas are marginalised characters who could from time to time be hyenas.

The Workplace Perpetrator (Work Place Hyena) Checklist

ARE YOU/ YOUR BOSS/ A COLLEAGUE (MAKE YOUR PICK, WE WILL CALL THIS PERSON "A" IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE) A CORPORATE HYENA? THE POINTS PER ANSWER IS INDICATED IN THE COLUMN HEADER.

QUESTIONS	Always	Some- times	Hardly Ever	Never
Value:	4	3	2	1
Does A have a real pet-hate (more than a dislike), for example smokers, gay people, other religions, a certain race, people in certain age group or who have certain looks, etc.
Does A perceive and understand the external realities correctly or ignore them? E.g. A would ignore instances of theft, under-performing, excellent employees ready for promotion, workplace hostilities, the impact of their actions on others.
Does A perceive reality like others? For example some people distort reality by thinking they are pretty, clever, dynamic, hard working, long-suffering, important, superior, influential and they will say and do things to suit their inner needs and affirm these perceptions, while the realities are different. This does not apply only to themselves, but also to others and issues. They say and do things to suit themselves and create chaos with their distorted reality.
Is A "white and black" person, something is either extremely good (and idealised) or extremely bad? (Also an all-or-nothing person - for example, defeat is not enough there must be total surrender, humiliation is excessive).
Does A ascribe personality traits (persecutory) to people and then clarifies it afterwards by manipulating responses by the person to suit his/her theory, for example A would believe someone is a thief and if something is missing, it is blown out of proportion to suit the accusation that that someone is the thief.
Is A is a "black and white" person, but with the difference that A abruptly shift that which is regarded as either good or bad from one category to the other? (This is likely to happen in his/her friendships too - one day friends, next day enemies).
Does A throw temper tantrums, throw objects, scream, cry, has mood swings etc.? The hire and fire type - people squirm at their feet. He/she is impulsive and has no tact or inhibitions.
Do you know where you stand with A or are you likely to find out much later. Does A immediately indicate what he/she thinks about a matter or person?
Is A hypochondriac or exaggerate illnesses, hardships etc.?
Does A mimic and obey people in identifying with them when ambivalent, fearful or having feelings of guilt? For example, A would develop the same mannerisms and attitudes as a colleague, or A would avoid/befriend someone whom a superior or strong colleague dislikes/likes.
Does A sulk or do things to his/her own detriment in stead of addressing the problem when angry?
Does A read people or situations wrongly and is therefore prejudiced, suspicious and keeping book of wrong-doings?
Does A act childish at times with a lack of maturity?
Does A avoid conflict at all costs by retreating?
Does A take ill when under pressure?
Does A answer aggression with aggression to control the conflict?
Does A excessively wants and needs to control, manage and regulate events?
Does A get to the bottom of a problem or address the issue by making superfluous changes?
Does A have hysterical outbursts, drastically modifying character?
Does A blame the weather, childhood, the government, his/her spouse, children for what he/she is, are feeling, his/her personality, conflicts, moods, attitudes, etc. (there is an external reason for everything, nothing is from within)?
Is A very inhibited - a "cold" person?
Is A someone who thinks, reads, writes or expresses an opinion on a variety of topics without experiencing and being in touch with the feelings, attitudes and styles of real people and things.
Does A isolate an issue by walking away from it, without addressing it and/or move onto something else? (Example - a boss tries to bully a person who stands up to him. He leaves that person and then try to bully the next one or if this tactic does not work, another one is employed)
Is A capable of justifying everything - attitude, beliefs, and behaviour, which might otherwise be unacceptable - even tell lies to this end?
Does A exhibit antithetical reactions to situations, for example laugh when he/she is upset, friendly with someone they are backbiting that person, is two-faced or express sympathy and shed tears, display a caring attitude when you know he/she couldn't care less?
Does A put certain things out of the mind and comfortably " just forgot" it when reminded or "can't remember" it.
Does A see a sexual connotation in everything and everyone?
Does A have the ability to rub his/her feelings of depression, hopelessness etc. on others and make them feel that they are responsible for it to the extent that they react in a depressive way?
Does A feel he/she must improve on others work, prestige etc. to get recognition?
Does A respect someone or have a ruthless role model who employs unacceptable methods to achieve his/her goals in life.
Does A have the ability to anticipate events and plan accordingly? (Normally a mature ego defense. However if the person has this ability together with narcissistic, neurotic and immature ego defenses, this person could be very dangerous at the workplace).
TOTALS
GRAND TOTAL

RESULTS

85 - 124 : Definitely a Perpetrator/Corporate Hyena
42 - 85 : Take care, this person is possibly a Perpetrator of Workplace Hostilities
31- 42 : Relax - it is most likely that this person may never make him/herself guilty of Workplace Hostilities.

# PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE COUNTS ARE NOT SCIENTIFICALLY STRUCTURED, BUT ONLY THERE TO GIVE YOU A VERY ROUGH INDICATION OF WHAT YOU MIGHT BE DEALING WITH. EACH ANSWER SHOULD BE ANALYSED BY A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL FOR A RELIABLE RESULT

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