Name: How To Deal With People Who Treat You Like Dirt
Start: 2025-11-16T10:00:00+13:00
End: 2025-11-16T12:00:00+13:00
Location: Lower Hutt Events Centre

**They come in many workplace forms and names like jerk, idiot, bully and a\*\*hole.**

And the havoc they cause is real and well-documented in global research on the topic including: high-turnover rates, depression, anxiety, disengagement and even suicide.

In Robert Sutton’s 2017 New York Times Bestseller book, “The Asshole Survival Guide” he considers how to assess, escape, endure, fight and force out workplace bullies, backstabbers, and arses.

Sutton has been Professor of Management Science and Engineering at Stanford University since 1983, and focuses on evidence-based management, the links (and gaps) between managerial knowledge and organisational action, innovation, and organisational performance.

**During this hands-on Meetup, we’ll be using Sutton’s 2017 book as our discussion guide and will engage in a conversation around:**

1. Asshole assessment
2. Make a clean getaway
3. Asshole avoidance techniques
4. Mind tricks that protect your soul
5. Fighting back
6. Be part of the solution, not the problem

**But why even talk about workplace a\*\*holes and bullies?**

[One in five workers have experienced workplace bullying in the last 12 months. ](https://tikatangata.org.nz/cms/assets/Documents/Experiences-of-Workplace-Bullying-and-Harassment-in-Aotearoa-New-Zealand.pdf)

[In another study, over 90 per cent of the workforce in Aotearoa New Zealand has reported experiencing intermittent bullying in the past year](https://www.massey.ac.nz/about/news/higher-frequency-bullying-remains-significant-in-workforce/).

[A 2013 academic survey showed New Zealand had the second-worst rate of workplace bullying in the developed world with one in five workers afflicted and an estimated annual cost of NZD$1 billion.](https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/06/workplace-bullying-the-disturbing-scale-of-a-problem-that-s-costing-new-zealand-as-much-as-1-billion.html)

During this Meetup we will share free, public resources for deeper learning on this important topic.

**Our Code of Conduct**
[By attending any event, or using any affiliated digital platform of the Autistic Professionals Network Wellington, constitutes agreement and adherence to our adopted Code of Conduct.](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dJM0dmPELeu2PaBjvgy-6pmXyT_e9Ipc_hCYueULGx8/edit?usp=sharing)

**Event Sponsors**
We are incredibly grateful to **Autism NZ** for providing a safe and professional space for us to regularly meet and collaborate. This dedicated space is instrumental in fostering a sense of community and allowing our group to thrive. We also extend thanks to **Kokua New Zealand** for providing tea, coffee, and biscuits during our meetings.

Robert

Crystal

Autistic Professionals Network - Wellington

Support & Coaching

Professional Development

Autistic Adults

Neurodiversity

Professional Networking

Socializing

How To Deal With People Who Treat You Like Dirt

Stress Management

Autism Social Group

Lower Hutt Events Centre

Share

Autistic Professionals Network - Wellington

How To Deal With People Who Treat You Like Dirt

Autistic Professionals Network - Wellington

Details

Members are also interested in