Open Topic Essay - How Cruel Functions in the Workplace

'Open Topic Essay - How Cruel Functions in the Workplace''Open Topic Essay - How Cruel Functions in the Workplace' by Melissa Seliszewski is a short and interesting essay that briefly outlines the cruelty, or lack thereof, in our work environments. Seliszewski's book, The Open Door, includes essays that detail workplace cruelty. While I didn't find anything particularly new in this book, I did find the advice to be helpful and informative.Seliszewski begins her short essay with an overview of what employee abuse is. Her thesis statement is that, at the workplace, 'Abuse doesn't just happen - it's done and we like it.' She relates the story of a coworker of hers who in one instance was called a 'pussy' by another coworker. It is at this point in the essay where Seliszewski provides useful advice for writers.Avoid Victimization: Seliszewski provides guidelines for writers to avoid being victimized by their readers. She suggests that, at a minimum, writers must remember their audiences, acknowledge the impact their words have on others, and present relevant, non-offensive information. She also gives advice on writing about yourself in the first person and on not dismissing the existence of others when writing about people in general.Write About the Issue: According to Seliszewski, writers should examine the issue at hand before writing about it. When doing so, she recommends focusing on the company and its values. She suggests that a writer examine the culture at the workplace and find out what is acceptable, unacceptable, or tolerated. Seliszewski concludes her essay by suggesting that writers begin by writing about the issue themselves.Present Facts: Seliszewski presents a simple story from her own life in which a coworker committed cruel acts towards her and asked her to behave in a certain way to please him. She presents some examples of ways in which workers can be manipulated to behave or doing something they don't want to do. She recommends that writers con sider why and how they are being manipulated.Lack of Communication: Seliszewski suggests that writers find out more about the situation than they do and share it with the audience, thereby reducing the occurrence of misrepresentation. She points out that most writing is done within a specific context and that people will naturally gravitate towards stories about things they already know. By providing information, she suggests that writers provide an antidote to work-related psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and workplace stress.Ethics: Seliszewski recommends that writers not exploit their power to be able to influence others. She warns against plagiarism, particularly if it is unintentional, and suggests that writers learn how to distinguish between the ethical non-ethical.Overall, 'Open Topic Essay - How Cruel Functions in the Workplace' provides a well-written introduction to the topic of workplace cruelty. In addition, Seliszewski has provided a brief but interest ing analysis of what ethical issues writers should be aware of.