Timothy Dimoff Blog on HR, Security and Motivation

cyberbullying, stop cyberbullying, workplace bullying

Beware of a New Trend in Cyberbullying: Roasting

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Most adults are familiar with the entertainment version of the word “roasting.” Roasts are traditionally intended as lighthearted dinners where various guests take turns “roasting” a guest of honor with good-natured jokes at that person’s expense. The key here is the phrase “good-natured.” As we’ve all witnessed, it can get awkward and downright uncomfortable. A roast that turns from lighthearted to vicious is becoming all too common. Guess who’s catching onto it? Your teenagers. Too Young to Roast It all started with the hashtag #roastme. Teenagers would post a picture or video on a social media channel (i.e., Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, or a group text) of themselves with that hashtag. Like a traditional “roast,” they gave people consent to make funny comments about what they posted. However, like most things exposed online, the opportunity to post malicious, hurtful...

Workplace bullying, bullying at work, Timothy Dimoff

7 Steps to Stop Workplace Bullying

October 24, 2020October 24, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Have you ever repeatedly experienced the following at work: Name-calling Shaming in public Intimidation Verbal abuse Pranks People leaving you out of conversations Managers giving you partial instructions or Having your work efforts sabotaged? If so, you’ve been bullied. Unfortunately, none of the behaviors listed above are illegal. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI), 19% of all US employees have been bullying victims. 61% of bullies are bosses, which correlates with the statistic that 65% of bullying victims are either fired or resign. Bullying, left unchecked, decreases workplace safety, increases absenteeism, and impacts employee morale. It creates a psychological power imbalance between the person doing the bullying and their target(s). Once the bully cements this imbalance, it’s virtually impossible to fix. 7 Action Steps to Stop a Bully Train employees to recognize bullying. Everyone in your organization...

workplace bullying, bullies at work, bullying, Timothy Dimoff

A Personal Account of Workplace Bullying

October 23, 2020October 25, 2020Tim Dimoff6 Comments

By Mark Adam Capretta Workplace bullying is a real problem, it happens all over the place, and it isn’t easy to manage. I know from experience. My Experience I just proposed to my wife, and she was wearing the engagement ring that I was still making payments. I just started a contract job with a small painting company and was very excited to do some hard work and get that ring paid off, so I didn’t have to worry about it come the wedding day. Little did I know that being a new contractor, I was in for some very intensive on-the-job training. Every day that I painted, I had someone watching and swearing at me. When I did something wrong, it got even worse. I learned some valuable skills, but once I got that ring paid off, I...

Is There a Link Between Domestic Violence and Financial Stress? [Updated]

September 16, 2020September 17, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Can Financial Stress Lead to Domestic Violence? As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, families are seeing their financial situation worsening. Unemployment rates are high, evictions are occurring, and businesses are permanently closing. At the same time, domestic violence (DV) agencies were reporting an increase in calls from women in need. The Facts This increase, unfortunately, should not have been a surprise. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, domestic violence is actually three times more likely to occur when a couple is experiencing high financial stresses versus low financial stresses. Women whose male partners experienced two or more periods of unemployment in a five-year time span are almost three times as likely to be victims of DV as opposed to women whose partners are in stable jobs. We also saw a substantial increase during the Shelter at Home...

Road Rage: 5 Tried and Tested Ways to Avoid It [Updated]

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

In Florida, two men exchanged words in at an intersection, pull into a nearby parking lot, get out of their cars, and start beating on each other. One man has a knife. He stabs the other man in the face several times, and the knife victim is rushed to the hospital. In Wisconsin, a woman is teaching her teenage son to drive. They have a minor car crash. The driver of the other vehicle shoots her to death. In Georgia, a man runs over another person he thought was throwing golf balls at his car. Unfortunately, incidents like this are reported to law enforcement every day. How can these incidents be avoided? Where did these cases go seriously wrong? Statistics are Alarming According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 80% of polled drivers express severe aggression, anger, or...

coronavirus, COVID-19, coronavirus and the workplace

Coronavirus and The Workplace: Keeping You Safe and Healthy

March 27, 2020March 27, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Whether you’re going into work every day or telecommuting, COVID-19 is on the minds of everyone. Here are common questions many employees are asking. Coronavirus and the Workplace Q&A My company has been deemed essential, yet I feel uncomfortable going into work. Can I work from home? The straight answer is no — your boss doesn’t have to allow you to telecommute. However, it often depends on what you do for the organization. If you work in a plant, you’ll have to report. However, if you’re in accounting or marketing, it’s possible to make a case to stay at home. On the flip side, your boss is making everyone work remotely. Do you have to oblige? Yes. Can my employer take my temperature at work? Under normal circumstances, the answer would be no because taking your temp is...

TikTok: A Social Media Magnet for Pedophiles and Predators?

February 28, 2020February 28, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

It’s a fact: China’s platform, TikTok, is a social media channel many young ladies between 13-24 engage with every day. In a short period, it has amassed more than 500 million worldwide users. TikTok allows users to create short, entertaining videos. What draws young girls to the platform? It may be that many of their friends are also on it. It’s entertaining to make lip-syncing and dancing videos they share with their fans. The personalized “For You” page keeps them returning as well. However, much like other platforms, it’s riddled with privacy holes. Of particular concern is the trolling of pedophiles and predators on this site. TikTok Troubles In February 2019, TikTok received a $5.7 million fine from the Federal Trade Commission for illegally collecting personal information from children under the age of 13 years old and selling...

Tomorrow is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day – Do you Know the Signs?

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Every January 11th, we are tasked to learn more about human trafficking. Please take everything you think you know about it and throw it in the preverbal trash can. Human trafficking doesn’t happen exclusively in big cities, near international borders, or in poverty-stricken neighborhoods. It happens everywhere. Ohio has the fourth largest incidents of trafficking behind Florida, California, and Texas. In 2019, Ohio received a “C” grade by Shared Hope International regarding our state’s sex trafficking laws and prevention tactics. We are the only state that requires 16- or 17-year-olds to prove they were sex trafficking victims. However, the State Senate recently passed a bill that would rescind that clause. It’s awaiting passage in the House of Representatives. In Ohio: 80% are children who live in urban settings 67% are white, female teens 33% are African American Girls are...

What is the Dark Web?

January 4, 2020January 29, 2020Tim Dimoff2 Comments

October is a cybersecurity month. When deciding what to write about, I recalled a surprising fact: Most people have not heard of the “dark web.” It is out there, though, and it’s essential to know where it resides and why it is considered “dark” in nature. Once you grasp an understanding of the dark web, there are things you can do to prevent becoming a victim of cybercrime. 3 Layers Down To understand what the dark web is, the first thing to know is there are mostly three layers to the world wide web (www): Surface Web Deep Web Dark Web 1. Surface Web This is the web the everyday person uses on their smart devices and personal computers. The sites accessed on the surface web have been indexed by DNS (domain name servers) web servers that provide specific...

holiday stress avoidance tips by Timothy Dimoff

Cut Down Holiday Stress with These Six Tips

December 20, 2019December 20, 2019Tim DimoffLeave a comment

Even though we are just a few short days away from the beginning of Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve, it’s the time to have fun, get-togethers, plus do the shopping, baking, and cooking for everyone. Yet…often this is the time when stress levels run high. Arguments break out and feelings are hurt. As you gather with your family, friends, and coworkers this year, please keep these six ideas in mind to keep your enjoyment level high and your stress levels low. Tips to Avoid Holiday Stress Put a check on your expectations. Please remember this is a season of giving, not receiving. Just because you spent a hefty amount for a gift for your boss, don’t expect he or she will do the same. Let kindness be your theme this season. Take care of yourself. In years...