Workplace bullying is a major issue affecting millions of employees. According to a 2021 WBI U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey, nearly 48.6 million Americans—roughly 30 percent of the adult workforce—have experienced bullying at work. During the pandemic, this number rose to 43 percent. Bullying in the workplace is considered harassment when it involves discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or national origin.
Studies show that bullying can have serious emotional, physical, career, and financial consequences, causing anxiety and negatively impacting job performance. Workplace bullying can be defined as any unwanted aggressive behavior that causes harm, a perceived power imbalance, and repeated behavior or the likelihood of repetition.
Common Characteristics of Workplace Bullies
While men generally hold more power in workplaces and are thus more likely to bully, women are more likely to bully other women due to experiences of discrimination and marginalization. A common misconception is that only bosses or supervisors can be bullies, but individuals in senior positions, those with privilege, or members of dominant social groups can also engage in bullying.
Typical traits of workplace bullies include:
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Lack of empathy
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Few friends
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A need for power and control
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Difficulty handling interpersonal differences
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A tendency to thrive on conflict
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Low self-esteem
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Possible past experiences of being bullied or trauma
Types of Workplace Bullying
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Relational bullying: Gossiping, excluding, and cliques.
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Physical bullying: Intimidating body language, invading personal space, or even physical assault.
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Verbal bullying: Passive-aggressive comments, hostile language, and name-calling.
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Damage to property: Stealing or damaging items.
Examples of workplace bullying include:
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A boss who insults you, uses offensive language, or stands behind you in an intimidating manner.
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A group of coworkers who exclude you from activities or make snarky comments.
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A colleague is spreading rumors and preventing you from accessing necessary work resources.
Tolerating bullying in a workplace can have severe mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and even PTSD. This is especially true in environments where bullying is ignored or allowed to persist.
Bullying in Virtual Workplaces
Virtual workplaces are not immune to bullying. Demeaning comments, belittling behaviors, and even verbal attacks can occur over video calls, similar to in-person interactions.
Steps to Combat Bullying at Work
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Ensure your safety: Maintain physical distancing, stay calm, and avoid reacting impulsively. Practice empathy and avoid provoking bullies.
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Confront the bully: Use “I” statements to assertively set boundaries, such as “It’s not okay to call me that name.” Document the interaction for future reference.
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Report the bullying: Speak to a supervisor, HR, or a trusted mentor. Many companies offer anonymous reporting.
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Self-care: Seek therapy or counseling and take advantage of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Develop mental and emotional resilience through mindfulness practices and support systems.
Empowering Bystanders to Act
A study reveals that bystanders are present in 88 percent of workplace bullying incidents, but often fail to act due to fear of retaliation or becoming a target themselves. Empowering bystanders to speak up is crucial in combating bullying.
Bystanders should:
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Speak out in the moment, saying something like “That’s not okay!”
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Private words of support for the victim or a quiet conversation with the bully.
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Report the bullying to a supervisor or HR representative.
By encouraging bystanders to take action, workplaces can begin to address bullying and create a more supportive and respectful environment for everyone.
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