ABA book 'The Shield of Silence' addresses workplace misconduct

 The American Bar Association book, “The Shield of Silence: How Power Perpetuates a Culture of Harassment and Bullying in the Workplace” by Lauren Stiller Rikleen offers a vital new approach to the issue of workplace misconduct.

Rikleen writes that sexual harassment and misconduct exist in every sector, but will not be stopped unless the overriding fear that reporting negative behavior will result in retaliation is eliminated.

The book describes how silence operates as the protective barrier that shields perpetrators of misconduct, revealing how deeply entrenched workplace dynamics ultimately prevent victims from accessing the very systems that are supposed to protect them.

The book combines research, interviews, and recommendations for addressing misconduct in a wide range of scenarios.

Policies alone are insufficient if unaccompanied by systemic changes that focus on creating a culture of respect in the workplace. Rikleen helps readers understand the root causes of these long-standing behaviors and their impact on victims and bystanders, while also offering a detailed blueprint for change.

Rikleen, president of the Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership, is a nationally recognized speaker, consultant and trainer who provides practical strategies for changing workplace culture, removing obstacles to women’s leadership and advancement, minimizing the impacts of unconscious bias and strengthening multi-generational teams.

Her book on generational issues in the workplace is “You Raised Us, Now Work with Us: Millennials, Career Success, and Building Strong Workplace Teams.” She is a recipient of the Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Award from the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession.

The book costs $24.95 and van be ordered by calling 800-285-2221 or online at shopaba.org.