The Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety’s annual National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Symposium was held Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the University Hotel on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. This year’s featured speaker was Valerie Cade, CSP.  Valerie Cade is an internationally recognized expert on respectful workplaces.

The topic was “Bully-Free and Violence-Free at Work: Inspiring a Respectful Workplace.”  Violence, and specifically bullying, affects workplaces, schools, and communities, worldwide. Consequences of bullying include decreased productivity, reduced morale, and staff turnover. The presentation identified: important insights to stop bullying behaviors; approaches essential to manage a bully appropriately; top coping skills for those being bullied to prevent the trap of self-doubt; and strategies to ensure an enduring healthy environment.

The event also included a pre-symposium poster viewing, as well as introductions and brief presentations made by:

Sue Gerberich, Ph.D.
Professor, Division of Environmental Health Sciences and Director, Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety.

William A. Toscano, Ph.D.
Professor and Division Head, Division of Environmental Health Sciences

John R. Finnegan, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor and Dean, School of Public Health

View photos from the symposium on Flickr.