The Crazy Card.. Image by Pixabay
What is the Crazy Card?
The ‘Crazy Card’ is a manipulation tactic that is often used in bullying situations in the workplace to make the victim appear crazy and unable to think clearly. This strategy implies that some people are not in their right minds and should not be believed. When people report bullying or any form of harassment in the workplace, the ‘Crazy Card’ is sometimes played to downplay the incident. In this way, the aggressors make the whistleblower look like a crazy person, which makes others in power or the whistleblower’s peers doubt the whistleblower’s sanity and thus the credibility of the claims being made. This tactic is extremely useful in the sense that it preserves the equilibrium, since no one wants to be accused of the same things in the future. Smear campaigns are another form of harassment that is commonly used in workplaces to silence employees who have been harassed. When one of the employees reports a case, the bullies in the workplace tend to counterattack and try to ruin the reporteer’s reputation. This may entail spreading lies, focusing on small faults, or even stretching small faults to make the whistleblower look bad. These campaigns are intended to make other people afraid and thus not to come forward with similar experiences, thus perpetuating the culture of silence. The aggressors take advantage of this, thinking that if they attack the accuser, they can cover up for themselves and cover up their misdeeds. In the end, both the “Crazy Card” tactic and the smear campaigns benefit the bully and disempower the victim. Thus, in harmful contexts, the value of an employee’s voice is lowered, and fear and distrust are created so that people do not want to come forward with their stories. This not only hurts the employee who reports it but also the rest of the workforce because it allows bad behaviour to go unpunished. When fear overrides the possibility of dialogue, it becomes a perfect environment for more dysfunction to arise since everyone will be looking at each other with suspicion and thinking of reporting the injustice with fear of being punished and alone.
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Workplace baiting functions as a sly method which attacks employee mental stability while damaging their self-confidence. The manipulative tactic includes making a person react emotionally through carefully placed subtle comments and challenging situations. The targeted employee will defend themselves after being provoked which creates an opportunity for others to depict instability. The repeated cycle weakens their personal confidence until they depend on their tormentors who started the baiting process. The research demonstrates that these tactics establish a toxic workplace environment which separates victims from their colleagues while undermining their professional capabilities. The manipulators use their tactics to control workplace dynamics because their victims perform poorly as a result of the emotional manipulation. Organizations should recognize workplace baiting to create supportive environments which enable all employees to succeed without fear of emotional sabotage. Don't take the bait. Document instead.
10 Ways to Identify a Fake Job Listing
With the competitive job market today, it pays to be cautious while looking for job opportunities. Fake job listings have become increasingly common, targeting unemployed people who are trying to get back into the workforce. Following are ten ways to identify a fake job listing and shield yourself from scams.
1. Unclear Job Descriptions
Real job offers tend to have extremely detailed job descriptions and requirements. If a posting is vague or lacks detailed job responsibilities, it could be a red flag. A proper job description would provide a clear sense of what is expected of the position.
2. Unrealistic Salary Offers
If the salary being offered seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may lure applicants with irresistibly high salaries that do not align with industry standards. Research the standard salary range for the role in your field to avoid falling into the trap.
3. Poorly Written Content
Legitimate companies invest time and effort in their job postings. Check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing in the job description. Unprofessionalism could be an indicator of a scam.
4. No Company Name or Contact Information
Real job listings typically include the company name and contact details. If a listing lacks this essential information or only provides a generic mention, it's better to be cautious. Always research the company to ensure that it exists before applying.
5. Requests for Personal Information Early On
Be wary of job postings that require you to provide sensitive personal information upfront, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or copies of your identification prior to even an interview. Real employers won't ask for this information until later in the hiring process.
6. Pressure Tactics
Scammers often use pressure to force quick decisions. If you notice language that requires immediate application or claiming the job will be gone soon, stop. Genuine employers provide candidates with time to consider their options.
7. Unprofessional Email Addresses
A company email address should be associated with their company website. Beware of advertisements coming from personal emails like Gmail or Yahoo. Company communications usually come from corporate domains (e.g., [email protected]).
8.Too Many Job Openings
If a job advertisement announces that a company has numerous job openings in various departments, this may be an indicator of a scam. Legitimate companies may have multiple openings, but they prefer to post these under legitimate contexts rather than unrelated generic advertisements.
9. Simple Application Procedure
If the application process seems too simple or involves immediate job offers with minimal or no qualifications, it could be a scam. Real employers usually hold interviews and assessments before they hire.
10. No Online Presence
Research the company's online presence. If it has no website, social media profiles, or professional reviews on sites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn, be wary. Real organizations typically have a standard online presence.
Last but not least, job applicants must stay cautious and aware of the potential for scams in today's job market. By knowing these warning signs, you can protect yourself from fake postings and focus on legitimate opportunities that align with your career goals.
Always follow your instincts, and in case of doubts, conduct extensive research before applying. Your job search will lead you to a good and a safe job opportunity, not a scam.
Special Note:
Never meet any recuiter in a non-public area or vacant property.
With the competitive job market today, it pays to be cautious while looking for job opportunities. Fake job listings have become increasingly common, targeting unemployed people who are trying to get back into the workforce. Following are ten ways to identify a fake job listing and shield yourself from scams.
1. Unclear Job Descriptions
Real job offers tend to have extremely detailed job descriptions and requirements. If a posting is vague or lacks detailed job responsibilities, it could be a red flag. A proper job description would provide a clear sense of what is expected of the position.
2. Unrealistic Salary Offers
If the salary being offered seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers may lure applicants with irresistibly high salaries that do not align with industry standards. Research the standard salary range for the role in your field to avoid falling into the trap.
3. Poorly Written Content
Legitimate companies invest time and effort in their job postings. Check for spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, or awkward phrasing in the job description. Unprofessionalism could be an indicator of a scam.
4. No Company Name or Contact Information
Real job listings typically include the company name and contact details. If a listing lacks this essential information or only provides a generic mention, it's better to be cautious. Always research the company to ensure that it exists before applying.
5. Requests for Personal Information Early On
Be wary of job postings that require you to provide sensitive personal information upfront, such as your Social Security number, bank account numbers, or copies of your identification prior to even an interview. Real employers won't ask for this information until later in the hiring process.
6. Pressure Tactics
Scammers often use pressure to force quick decisions. If you notice language that requires immediate application or claiming the job will be gone soon, stop. Genuine employers provide candidates with time to consider their options.
7. Unprofessional Email Addresses
A company email address should be associated with their company website. Beware of advertisements coming from personal emails like Gmail or Yahoo. Company communications usually come from corporate domains (e.g., [email protected]).
8.Too Many Job Openings
If a job advertisement announces that a company has numerous job openings in various departments, this may be an indicator of a scam. Legitimate companies may have multiple openings, but they prefer to post these under legitimate contexts rather than unrelated generic advertisements.
9. Simple Application Procedure
If the application process seems too simple or involves immediate job offers with minimal or no qualifications, it could be a scam. Real employers usually hold interviews and assessments before they hire.
10. No Online Presence
Research the company's online presence. If it has no website, social media profiles, or professional reviews on sites like Glassdoor or LinkedIn, be wary. Real organizations typically have a standard online presence.
Last but not least, job applicants must stay cautious and aware of the potential for scams in today's job market. By knowing these warning signs, you can protect yourself from fake postings and focus on legitimate opportunities that align with your career goals.
Always follow your instincts, and in case of doubts, conduct extensive research before applying. Your job search will lead you to a good and a safe job opportunity, not a scam.
Special Note:
Never meet any recuiter in a non-public area or vacant property.
