Introduction: Getting More with Honey

This old idiom is a reminder that more is achieved with honey than vinegar. A kind word to a colleague or service provider at the very least makes for a better experience for all involved. At times, the recipient of the kindness reciprocates with better service, an extra serving, a bigger tip, and a wider smile. Regardless, kindness and civility motivate people in any environment more than rude behavior and insulting remarks.

While many know how “honey” prevails over “vinegar,” acidic workplace bullying behavior is a national and international problem. International studies (Einarsen, Hogel, Zapf, & Cooper, 2003; Keelan, 2000; Pearson, 1999; Thomson, 2010) confirm the risk to company productivity and employee health when workplace bullying runs rampant. In the United States, research on workplace bullying confirms such problems (Bliss, 2012; Namie & Namie, 2009; Wiedmer, 2010). Other researchers have documented the extensive health problems related to workplace bullying (Constanti & Gibbs, 2004; Djurkovic, McCormack, & Casimir, 2008; Query & Hanely, 2010; Thomas, 2005).