Why would any organisation employ someone with a revenge mentality at the level of trolling?
Photo by Flex Point Security on Unsplash
As the pandemic continues and more and more people work from home, reports over the last year have indicated how bad online trolling has become. You may have even read of incidents like Zoom meetings being virtually ‘gatecrashed’ and participants abused! Seemingly nowhere is safe from trolls and their desire to hurt their victims. That’s the pathology of a troll; constantly looking to break down and destroy from the shadows rather than have the courage to work through differences with others. It’s the kind of pathology that tragically leads to children and adults taking their own lives. We have certainly experienced this pathology first-hand at Lighthouse International Group with our trolls.
But what happens if a business employs a troll who is using their company time and premises to troll their victims? Surely they can’t be held responsible for them, right? Wrong! Ben Thompson wrote for Personnel Today:
"But what happens if an employer discovers one of their staff has been found cyberbullying someone? While the individual themselves could be handed a short prison sentence or a £5,000 fine, employers can also be handed a fine if they are made aware of their staff’s actions and don’t undertake the correct measures to discipline, or remove the troll from the company."
Furthermore The Equality and Human Rights Commission reports that employers need to be:
"..against discrimination, harassment and harm committed by employees in the process of employment, regardless of whether they know or approve of those acts will be legally liable.”
As a result of the increasing prevalence of trolls employed by businesses and the risks to them highlighted above, Lighthouse International will be supporting businesses through our Businesses Against Trolls Initiative. We have found that businesses are often completely unaware that they are employing a troll and they would have never employed them if they had known the pathology of that employee in the first place! The pathology is such that it can lead to toxic work environments; affecting key relationships inside and outside of the organisation. Therefore we see it as our duty to help fellow businesses given our experiences of being trolled.
We also want to ensure the victims of trolls are supported through this and our Parents Against Trolls initiative. How could a parent at work concentrate on doing their best if they are, or their children, are being trolled? It’s time to put trolls in their place legally.
If you want to find out more about Business Against Trolls and our planned Global Summit for Businesses Against Trolls & Trolling, then please contact us.
Thanks for showing the responsibility that businesses have when they are aware that they employ trolls, Jatinder.
Trolls cause a lot of suffering to people and as you mentioned it even leads potentially to suicide of victims.
So initiatives like business against trolls and parents against trolls are absolutely essential. I have a daughter myself and I feel a lot more is needed to protect our children from bullying and trolling.
Thank you.
It's brilliant to see the action being taken to support businesses against trolls! With the online safety bill being discussed in Parliament it's powerful to see the widespread and much needed changes happening to online activity and how this will protect those most vulnerable!
Thank you for sharing this Jatinder. Somebody who has a hunger and thirst to become a better human being, are those in the pursuit of truth. With that truth there is a willingness to extend themselves for themselves and for others, and as a result are willing to suffer the pain of legitimate transition and transformation. They are willing to look inside themselves, and are willing to accept their imperfections as difficult as that is. It actually boils down to the willingness to look at your own hubris. The healthier a human being is, and the more progressive a human being is, the quality of the human being is down to the person that gives enough of a damn t…
This is such an important article, topic and reality! Thank you JT. Those must be held accountable who are creating destruction, wherever it may be. And I feel honoured to be part of an organisation and group of people who are stepping up and challenging this and putting it to rights where it needs to be. We’ve all experienced this in one way or another, I think I can safely say, and it’s a huge injustice that must be addressed by organisations and businesses alike, as it doesn’t just effect them, it has a ripple effect throughout humanity, to families, to young children, who ought to be protected from this violent and malicious act, behaviour and intent. It’s terrifying to…
Thank you Jatinder..this is a widespread and extremely harmful issue and many people work in toxicity for years not receiving the help they require! We have got some important work to do!