Over the last several years, we have become familiar with the term toxic workplace. And typically, the related bullying and harassment are considered along with the legal term hostile work environment. What we don’t as frequently recognize is the covert emotional abuse taking place in many work environments.

As most of us know, any form of abuse is about power and control. And if ever there were a place where power and control are part of the culture, and even seem normal, it is the workplace.

In fact, the very hierarchy found in most, if not all, corporations, industries, agencies, and other workplace entities can foster emotional abuse. Hierarchy generally means that there is a boss who has most of the power and s/he must maintain control at all times. That boss then bosses other bosses who are empowered to gain and maintain control over their employees, and on and on until you finally get to the entry-level employees of the chain of command.

Of course, that does not........

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