Some of the workplace issues addressed:
Boss, bullying, capacity, change, coercion, collegiality, communication, community, conflict, control, cooperation, courage, culture, democracy, dignity, school district, education, empowerment, fear, Fetzer Institute, formation, future search, human resources, inner life, inner work, job, meetings, middle school, mobbing, movement, OD, office life, Parker J. Palmer, partnership, Pendle Hill, personal growth, personal transformation, power, principal, professional development, projection, psychology, Quaker, rankism, relationship, renewal, respect, responsibility, retreat, safety, scapegoat, self-awareness, school improvement, self-knowledge, simplicity, social justice, solidarity, spirituality, stewardship, teacher, teamwork, vocation, wisdom, work, workplace. Jack Bender bio biography memoir, non-fiction

from Parker J. Palmer...
“Disregarded” by veteran educator Jack Bender is a gritty reflection on some of the grim realities that public school teachers face every day of their working lives. At the same time, it is full of hope that personal and institutional renewal is a real possibility, and that individuals and small groups can make a real difference in bringing that possibility to fruition. When such a hope comes from a veteran teacher who has earned his battle stripes, we know that we can trust it. As a former teacher and someone who cares deeply about the well-being of teachers and the young people they serve, I give this book an A+.”
—Parker J. Palmer (author of “The Courage to Teach,” “A Hidden Wholeness” and “Let Your Life Speak,” and founder and senior partner of the Center for Courage & Renewal, <http://www.CourageRenewal.org>)

"Moving, poetic, insightful, painful, hopeful, touching, tragic, triumphant.”
—Barry Oshry
Chief Theoretical Officer
Power + Systems, Inc., author of
Seeing Systems: Unlocking the Mysteries of Organizational Life

From the back cover

Disregarded is an adult Lord of the Flies set in the workplace. The author alternately experiences the relentless lows of organizational life and the renewal of being in community during a two-year long retreat program. The tension between the two experiences fuels the search for understanding. Why do groups split apart? How can groups hang together? A rare mix of authoritative resources and personal experience – in story form – Disregarded explains how the personal and organizational intersect. This engaging account is nothing less than a story of hope amidst power plays, bureaucratic impediments and conflicted relationships.

“Bender’s play-by-play of flawed office dynamics is tempered by his intimate account of personal growth while being a professional in crisis. A compelling human story for those feeling frustrated, drained or besieged, yet seeking a constructive and restorative response.”

Reverend Julie M. Cowie, Minister and mediator, Congruency

“Countless gems to ponder and jam-packed with wisdom.  Engaging!”

Pat Cassell, Mental health counselor 

“When asked, ‘What might happen if a group of employees read this book?’ I responded, ‘What if their bosses did?’” 

Jim Metzger, Teacher

“Too few of us understand organizational dynamics, but Bender’s explanation is of immense help.”

Robert L. Smith, High School Principal

“This is a great narrative of a person’s journey toward understanding self and workplace. Disregarded will give workers everywhere a framework and incentive to grow as well as the motivation to actively transform their workplaces.”

Frank Russell, SIU, State Farm Insurance