Petty Tyrant

So, I've written about workplace bullies before. (My HR Department Bullies Employees, Workplace Bullies, and Bully Boss.) But, nothing, and I mean nothing compares to this This American Life episode: Petty Tyrant.

Here's their description:

In Schenectady, NY, a school maintenance man named Steve Raucci works his way up the ranks for 30 years, until finally he's in charge of the maintenance department. That's when he starts messing with his employees. Teasing them at meetings. Punishing them with crummy work assignments. Or worse things, like secretly slashing their tires in the middle of the night.

The whole thing is worth listening too. And for those of us who are in the business of helping businesses with their people problem, it's a special warning that we should maybe, just maybe, listen to employees that complain about a bully boss.