Workplace Bullying in 'The Devil Wears Prada': A Case Study Analysis

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Case Study
CASE STUDY
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Case Study
Describe what makes it a workplace bullying situation?
The movie "The Devil Wears Prada" is an excellent example where workplace bullying and
ineffective mental health has been displayed appropriately. The movie provides with a scenario
where Andy is hired as personal assistance for Miranda Priestly an editor in chief for an
esteemed fashion magazine. The cinema offers that Miranda Priestly is a dominant, rude and
bossy lady that makes the professional and personal life of Andy terrible. She creates a hostile
work environment and creates various difficulties for Andy to pursue her career goals and
achieve her own aims.
What do you think the person who is bullied is experiencing?
The person who is bullied is experiencing a significant amount of work pressure and an
environment which is forcing the person to fit in. The person has to deal with high pressure from
her superior employees and her boss in relation to her work related roles and duties. Her boss is
also interfering with her personal life and making it difficult for her to manage her personal and
professional relations. She is experiencing different emotions such as anger, frustration and being
judged in some cases.
What are their reactions?
The person being bullied reacts in a manner where she tries to alter her personality and attitude
in order to fit in with the professional work environment. The person being bullied responds in a
way where she adapts to the choices made by her professional partners and her immediate
superiors. The person experiencing bullying has not reacted in an appropriate way and has not
depicted any opposing towards the bullying person. The person must have responded in a
manner to withstand fighting the harmful practices of bullying.

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Case Study
What purpose do you think the bullying behaviour is serving the bully?
The purpose bullying behaviour is serving the bully is providing satisfaction by torturing and
harassing her employee. The bullying behaviour is providing her with a superior feeling by
considering her assistant as inferior and acting negatively towards her.
What would you do if you were in this situation?
If I had been in this situation, I would try to communicate with her and resolve any issue which
might be coming in between our professional relationships. I would try to make her consider me
and agree on her to provide me with opportunities to withstand the aspirations and capabilities
for me. Even after all the efforts and considerations if the behaviour is stagnant, I would
complaint against her and talk with my HR regards the issuing I have with her.
What would you do if you witnessed a colleague experiencing workplace bullying?
I would try to talk to my colleague and suggest him or her to communicate about the differences
him or her and the bully are experiencing. I believe communication is a useful tool and solves
different problems without digging in too deep. I will try to communicate with the bully on
behalf of my colleague and support my colleague in his her actions. I would also interact with
my other team's members to communicate with the bully and also try to improve the attitudes
and behaviours of the bully.
What would you do if you as the manager witnessed bullying situation among your
employees?
I would undertake strict actions against the employer practising the act of bullying against the
employee. I will also file a complaint against the employer with the Human Resource Manager

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Case Study
and ensure required actions are taken. I will further undertake measures and sessions with my
colleagues to be aware of the acts of bullying. I will discuss with my superiors to provide with
practical training sessions to the employees to be informed about the bullying. I will take actions
and develop strategies with the Human Resource Manager to implement effective and
developmental policies to reduce the practice of harassment in the organisation.
What would you do if you reported workplace bullying situations that you witnessed, but
you were not taken seriously?
I would try to make people believe and make them aware about the workplace bullying, and I
would try to collect evidence to prove my case in front of others. I try to communicate with the
person experiencing bullying and encourage him or her to speak up about the bullying. I would
also try to convince the bully to accept the acts and confess it in front of others.
How could you support a colleague that reported a bullying situation?
I would try to make the colleague clam and composed about the situation. I would encourage the
colleague to have a one on one interaction with the bully and discuss the issues. If the efforts go
in vain, I will promote the colleague to file a complaint against the bully. I will provide the
person experiencing bullying with emotional and mental support in order to create a stable state
of mind.