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Workplace Bullying: A Threat to Health and Well-being

What Is Workplace Bullying?

According to the Campaign Against Workplace Bullying (CAWB) in Benicia, California, bullying, also known as harassment, involves persistent health-endangering personal abuse that humiliates and demeans a person. Unfortunately, in many workplaces it is often downplayed as a personality conflict, an attitude problem, or a “strong management style.”

When under pressure, anyone can become short-tempered, irritable, and engage in shouting, but they stop when the pressure subsides. Bullying behaviors, in contrast, are persistent and damaging. They may or may not be obvious.

Obvious bullying behaviors include persistent:

Less obvious bullying behaviors include:

Approximately 1 in 6 US employees has experienced bullying at work in the past year, according to CAWB. It is a poorly understood, "silent epidemic" that poses a serious public health threat.

What Are the Psychological Factors?

Bullying behaviors stem from psychological factors in the bully, such as low self-esteem, feelings of incompetence, or the need for power and control. Most cases are not isolated incidents and the majority of bullies have a long history of this behavior. They harass employees for any number of reasons. They may feel envious or threatened by the employee’s competence, creativity, popularity, or ethics. Employees who are non-confrontational, cooperative, or vulnerable in some way also tend to be targets of bullying managers.

What Is the Cost of Bullying?

The costs of workplace bullying are significant to both the employer and the target of the bullying.

Costs to the Employer

For the employer, the costs of bullying may include:

  • An atmosphere of fear, secrecy, and low cooperation
  • Low productivity
  • High rates of:
    • Staff turnover
    • Sick leave usage
    • Suspension and other disciplinary procedures
    • Dismissal
    • Grievances
    • Ill-health retirements
    • Early retirements
  • Increased liability for health damaging employment practices

Costs to the Employee Target

Targets of workplace bullying often experience significant physical and psychological suffering. CAWB’s US Hostile Workplace Survey revealed the following psychological and physical symptoms in the targets of workplace bullying:

Psychological

  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Obsession over the situation
  • Clinical depression
  • Self-destructive habits, such as increased use of alcohol, drugs, food
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Thoughts of violence to others

Physical

People who are bullied at work also report developing more infections, such as colds and flu.

Other Negative Effects

According to CAWB, bullying often has a negative impact on an employee’s social relations at work and at home. Coworkers, partners, and family members may tire of hearing about the bullying and withdraw their support. In some cases, it can even impact marriage to the point of divorce.

Bullied employees also tend to lose income. Sometimes they use up all their sick leave, deplete their savings, and lose their jobs.

How Do You Stop Bullying?

Workplace bullying is a serious problem. But what can you do to stop it? Unfortunately, you can’t always stop the bullying once it starts, but here are some tips that may help.

Spot Bullying Behavior

Bullying personalities can be found anywhere, even in the “best” companies. When you’re interviewing for a job, don’t be so dazzled by impressive mission statements, titles, and awards. Talk to other employees and former employees (if you know any) about the company's management style. Ask the employer for a copy of company policies and read it carefully, taking note of their policies on:

  • Staff turnover
  • Sick leave usage
  • Suspension and other disciplinary procedures
  • Dismissal
  • Grievances
  • Ill-health retirements
  • Early retirements

It's safer to ask for written policy information and read it, rather than ask about these issues during the interview process, which could give the impression that you expect to have difficulties in the new company.

Stop Feeling Ashamed

According to Ruth and Gary Namie, organizational psychologists and the founders of CAWB, being bullied at work is very harmful to self-esteem, particularly if you are not receiving any support. Stop listening to the verbal assaults and do not feel ashamed. Remind yourself that you did nothing wrong.

Document Each Incidence

Document each incidence of bullying, what happened and how you felt. This will help reduce any confusion you may feel. It may also help you eventually get the changes you need.

Confront the Bully…Gently

You deserve to be treated with respect, regardless of who you are or your position in an organization. If you feel that you are being bullied, do not attack or blame the bully. Instead, calmly but firmly talk about the behavior you have observed and how it makes you feel. Use “I” statements—“I feel demeaned when you raise your voice to me in the office,” rather than “you” statements—“You are bullying me." Asserting yourself can sometimes stop the bullying behavior.

Discuss the Situation

If the bullying continues, talk to someone who may be able to help, such as another employee, a human resource representative, a supportive manager, or a counselor. Sometimes more than one person is being bullied in the workplace. If so, a group complaint may carry more weight.

Find Another Job

If the bullying continues despite efforts in the workplace to stop it, consider finding another job. This is especially important if the situation is causing chronic stress and/or physical and emotional symptoms or illness.

Learn More About Workplace Bullying

Currently, there are a number of international efforts taking place to raise awareness of the silent epidemic of workplace bullying, according to CAWB. These efforts include changing existing harassment laws so that they are all-inclusive, not limited to gender, race, age, national origin, and other characteristics (such as those defined in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Guidelines). Resources include organizations, books, and annual conferences on the workplace bullying, as well as consultants who specialize in reducing hostile work environments.

RESOURCES:

Bully Busters
http://www.bullybusters.org

United States Equal Opportunity Commission
http://www.eeoc.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
http://www.ccohs.ca/

Canadian Safety Council
http://www.safety-council.org/

REFERENCES:

Bully Busters website. Available at:http://www.bullybusters.org.