- Workplace Bullying, Bullies at Work - stock xchange kjpargeter
Workplace bullying is defined as verbal abuse, threatening or humiliating behavior, or work sabotage, according to bullying experts Gary and Ruth Namie. Bullying at work is mostly psychological bullying, and includes excluding coworkers from lunches or after-hours get-togethers and spreading lies or gossip.
Dr Gary Namie states that 45% of people who are bullied at work experience health problems. If employers don't take it seriously, workplace bullies can not only damage the company's bottom line, they can do some serious psychological damage to their victims.
The Profile of a Workplace Bully
Bullies at work threaten employees or peers with veiled hints or outright intimidation. Abuse of power and harassment are common. Workplace bullies can be manipulative, mean, and spiteful. Bullies at work may be delusional, with an inflated sense of their own worth. They enjoy discrediting and hurting their peers or underlings.
Workplace bullies lack respect for people, and feel little remorse when they launch character attacks, demean dignity, attack competence levels, or destroy trust and self-confidence.
The Impact of Workplace Bullying
More work absenteeism and less productivity are the direct results of bullying at work. The psychological effects of workplace bullying include low self-worth, low self-esteem, and even posttraumatic stress. People dealing with bullying at work feel helpless and not in control over their environment or feelings. The more they feel the bully is in control, the more their feelings of self-worth plummet.
"Forty-five percent of people experience stress related health complications" says Dr Gary Namie. "We know that runs the gamut from anxiety through depression…all the way up to posttraumatic stress disorder."
Some experts state that adult bullying is ingrained in the North American work culture. Competition, individualism, hierarchy and market fluctuations actually encourage bullying at work by decreasing collaboration and support.
Employees Who See Workplace Bullying Are Negatively Affected
You don't have to be the victim of a bully at work to experience the negative effects of workplace bullying. Employees who witness bullies at work report low levels of workplace satisfaction and high levels of stress.
Coping With Workplace Bullying
Ignoring the bully at work won't make her go away. Instead, ask her to be specific about her threats or criticism. Counter attack with questions, and don't let her provoke you to anger or tears while she's around. Rise above the attacks and attempt to deal with real issues. Be straightforward; use nondefensive, assertive statements. Refuse to agree to anything under pressure and don't take the bully's words at face value.
Workplace bully expert Dr Gary Namie offers the following suggestions:
- Be aware of state or provincial legislations against workplace bullying
- Check for stated policy violations
- Take time off
- Talk to your employer
- Formally report the incident(s) with dates and specific behaviors
Related Reading on Psychological Bullying
If you're dealing with psychological bullying in the workplace, you might find 6 Ways to Solve Problems at Work helpful.
If your coworkers are difficult or toxic, read Dealing With Toxic Coworkers - 3 Ways to Handle Difficult People
The Emotional Effects of Psychological Bullying describes how bullies affect students, siblings, and coworkers.
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen - Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger in Vancouver, BC, and the creator of the Quips and Tips blog series.
