Bullying in the Workplace
The presence of bullies and jerks in the workplace is not much of a concern for most companies. However, having too many of such people around and not actively avoiding a culture that fosters bullies, is not good practice. In fact it can have quite an impact on company performance and the bottom-line. This is because bullying can (among other things) have an effect on morale, health, productivity, idea generation and employee turnover.
Here are some findings from a study by the Workplace Bullying Institute in America:
- 37% of workers have been bullied
- Most bullies are bosses (72%)
- Most Targets (57%) are women
- 62% of employers ignore the problem
- 45% of Targets suffer stress-related health problems (debilitating anxiety, panic attacks, clinical depression)
- 40% of bullied individuals never tell their employers
For organisations, the message is clear – seek out workplace bullies and correct their behaviour or fire them. Don’t avoid taking action, especially if you feel that the employee is a good performer. The overall contribution he/she has could in fact be negative, when you take into account the effects of bullying.
For individuals, given that majority of bullying is done by bosses, the first and most important step is to realise that you are being bullied. Many people either ignore the problem or think that they just have a bad boss and thats how bosses are. According to Dr. Gary Nami, Founder of the Workplace Bullying Institute, these are some signs to look out for:
- You attempt the obviously impossible task of doing a new job without training or time to learn new skills but that work is never good enough for the boss
- Surprise meetings are called by your boss with no results other than further humiliation
- Everything your tormenter does to you is arbitrary and capricious, working a personal agenda that undermines the employer’s legitimate business interests
- Others at work have been told to stop working, talking or socializing with you
- You constantly feel agitated and anxious, experiencing a sense of doom, waiting for bad things to happen
- No matter what you do, you are never left alone to do your job without interference
- People feel justified screaming or yelling at you in front of others, but you are punished if you scream back
- HR tells you that your harassment isn’t illegal, that you have to “work it out between yourselves”
- You finally, firmly confront your tormentor to stop the abusive conduct, you are accused of harassment
- You are shocked when accused of incompetence despite a history of objective excellence, typically by someone who cannot do your job
- Everyone — co-workers, senior bosses, HR — agrees (in person and orally) that your tormentor is a jerk, but there is nothing they will do about it (and deny saying what they said later when asked to support you)
- Your request to transfer to an open position under another boss is mysteriously denied
Source: Sandbox Advisors, Workplace Bullying Institute
