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010 | Workplace Harassment: The Cost of Staying Silent

Show Notes for Podcast Episode

Title: Breaking the Silence: Harassment and Silence at Work

Podcast: Emotional Organization
Host: Dr. Denaige McDonnell

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Denaige McDonnell shares two powerful personal stories of workplace harassment, spanning 25 years, and connects them to her professional research on workplace harassment and silence in male-dominated industries.

Through stories, research insights, and psychological analysis, Dr. McDonnell explores why silence persists, its emotional and organizational impacts, and actionable strategies to foster safer, more inclusive workplaces.

This episode offers clarity, courage, and tools to break the cycle of silence—whether you’re a target, bystander, or leader.

Key Topics Covered

  1. Personal Stories of Workplace Harassment
  • The Grain Plant Incident:
    • Weekly harassment by a site director, leading to internal conflict, temporary relief, and eventual resignation.
    • The emotional toll: fear, guilt, isolation, and anger at a system that normalized harm.
  • The Safety Professional Experience:
    • Escalating violence against women on a project, dismissed as inevitable due to hiring more women.
    • Speaking up led to retaliation and job loss, highlighting systemic issues that perpetuate harm.
  1. Research Findings on Silence in the Workplace
  • Dr. McDonnell’s Research in Construction and Extractive Industries:
    • 75% of workers experienced physical violence or unwanted sexual attention.
    • 77% witnessed these behaviors, with nearly 20% reporting weekly incidents.
    • Managers and supervisors were responsible for 44% of harmful behaviors.
  1. Emotional Dynamics of Harassment and Silence
  • The Target’s Perspective: Fear, guilt, and internalized isolation.
  • The Perpetrator’s Perspective: Entitlement and impunity in a normalized culture.
  • The Observer’s Perspective: Discomfort, fear, and rationalization.
  • The Manager’s Perspective: Prioritizing convenience over accountability.
  1. The Science of Silence
  • Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory: Silence as emotional self-preservation, leading to burnout.
  • Learned Helplessness: Repeated harm fosters futility and disengagement.
  • Bystander Effect: Fear and assumptions of intervention perpetuate collective inaction.
  1. Breaking the Cycle
  • Why people stay silent: fear of retaliation, lack of psychological safety, and cultural normalization.
  • When silence can be strategic: for self-preservation or reflection.
  • Systemic changes needed: fostering psychological safety, anonymous reporting, and accountability.

Reflection Questions for Listeners

  1. Have you ever stayed silent in the face of harm at work? Why?
  2. How does silence shape your workplace culture?
  3. What role can you play in breaking the cycle of silence?

Key Takeaways

  • Harassment and silence harm individuals and organizations, but change is possible.
  • Speaking up, offering support, and creating accountability can disrupt harmful patterns.
  • Building trust and psychological safety are essential steps for leaders and teams.

Connect with Dr. McDonnell