Workplace bullying: Difference between revisions
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'''Workplace bullying''' is "repeated, health-harming mistreatment, verbal abuse, or conduct which is threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or sabotage that interferes with work or some combination of the three".<ref>Namie, Gary and Ruth [http://www.bullyinginstitute.org/bbstudies/WBIbrochure.pdf Workplace Bullying Institute Brochure]</ref> It has additionally been defined as ""Persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress".<ref>Amicus-MSF trade union, http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/defns.htm</ref> Unlike the more physical form of schoolyard bullying, workplace bullying often takes place within the established rules and policies of the organization and society. Such actions are not necessarily illegal and may not even be against an organization's regulations; however, the damage to targeted employees and workplace morale can be significant.<ref>Farrell, A., & Geist-Martin, P. (2005). "Communicating social health: Perceptions of wellness at work". ''Management Communication Quarterly'', 18, 543–592.</ref> | '''Workplace bullying''' is "repeated, health-harming mistreatment, verbal abuse, or conduct which is threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or sabotage that interferes with work or some combination of the three".<ref>Namie, Gary and Ruth [http://www.bullyinginstitute.org/bbstudies/WBIbrochure.pdf Workplace Bullying Institute Brochure]</ref> It has additionally been defined as ""Persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress".<ref>Amicus-MSF trade union, http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/defns.htm</ref> Unlike the more physical form of schoolyard bullying, workplace bullying often takes place within the established rules and policies of the organization and society. Such actions are not necessarily illegal and may not even be against an organization's regulations; however, the damage to targeted employees and workplace morale can be significant.<ref>Farrell, A., & Geist-Martin, P. (2005). "Communicating social health: Perceptions of wellness at work". ''Management Communication Quarterly'', 18, 543–592.</ref> | ||
==Prevalence of workplace bullying== | ==Prevalence and occurrences of workplace bullying== | ||
A 2007 Zogby International poll among Americans found that 37% of American workers, around 54 million people, had been victims of workplace bullying, while 49% said they had been affected by it.<ref>http://bullyinginstitute.org/research/res/WBIsurvey2007.pdf</ref> In the United Kingdom, a 2004 study by the [[University of Manchester]] Institution of Science and Technology of 5,300 employees in 70 organizations found that 1 in 10 had been bullied in the previous six months, 1 in 4 had been bullied since 1995, and that 47% had witnessed bullying over a five-year-period.<ref>Wilson, Bill. "Workplace bullying: A growing problem." BBC News, 19 February 2004. Online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3442331.stm; archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5U6Kq7ccb</ref> | A 2007 Zogby International poll among Americans found that 37% of American workers, around 54 million people, had been victims of workplace bullying, while 49% said they had been affected by it.<ref>http://bullyinginstitute.org/research/res/WBIsurvey2007.pdf</ref> In the United Kingdom, a 2004 study by the [[University of Manchester]] Institution of Science and Technology of 5,300 employees in 70 organizations found that 1 in 10 had been bullied in the previous six months, 1 in 4 had been bullied since 1995, and that 47% had witnessed bullying over a five-year-period.<ref>Wilson, Bill. "Workplace bullying: A growing problem." BBC News, 19 February 2004. Online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3442331.stm; archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5U6Kq7ccb</ref> | ||
Organizational psychologist Robert Hare and Paul Babiak indicate that workplace bullying is more likely to occur in hierarchical systems as opposed to those designed to be more flat.<ref>Hare, Robert and Babiak, Paul, ''Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work'', Harper Collins, 2006.</ref> | |||
== Effects of workplace bullying == | == Effects of workplace bullying == | ||
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== Psychology of workplace bullies == | == Psychology of workplace bullies == | ||
According to Hare | According to Hare et al, "Bullies react aggressively in response to provocation or perceived insults or slights". Moreoever, they tend to exhibit lack of [[remorse]], [[guilt]] and [[empathy]], lack self-awareness of their behavior, and appear "unwilling or unable to moderate it, even when it is to their own advantage."<ref>Hare, Robert and Babiak, Paul, ''Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work'', Harper Collins, 2006.</ref> | ||
== Workplace bullying and the law== | == Workplace bullying and the law== | ||
Revision as of 04:12, 15 December 2007
Workplace bullying is "repeated, health-harming mistreatment, verbal abuse, or conduct which is threatening, humiliating, intimidating, or sabotage that interferes with work or some combination of the three".[1] It has additionally been defined as ""Persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress".[2] Unlike the more physical form of schoolyard bullying, workplace bullying often takes place within the established rules and policies of the organization and society. Such actions are not necessarily illegal and may not even be against an organization's regulations; however, the damage to targeted employees and workplace morale can be significant.[3]
Prevalence and occurrences of workplace bullying
A 2007 Zogby International poll among Americans found that 37% of American workers, around 54 million people, had been victims of workplace bullying, while 49% said they had been affected by it.[4] In the United Kingdom, a 2004 study by the University of Manchester Institution of Science and Technology of 5,300 employees in 70 organizations found that 1 in 10 had been bullied in the previous six months, 1 in 4 had been bullied since 1995, and that 47% had witnessed bullying over a five-year-period.[5]
Organizational psychologist Robert Hare and Paul Babiak indicate that workplace bullying is more likely to occur in hierarchical systems as opposed to those designed to be more flat.[6]
Effects of workplace bullying
Workplace bullying has been linked physical, psychological, organizational, and social costs. Of these, stress is the most predominant health affect leading to increased use of sick days by workers. Employee attrition is an additional factor, as employees seek to remove themselves from the environment of bullying.[7] In addition, co-workers who witness workplace bullying can also be negatively impacted, experiencing fear, stress, and emotional exhaustion. Like the direct victims of workplace bullying, those who witness such acts often choose to leave the place of employment where the abuse took place. Workplace bullying can also hinder the organizational dynamics such as group cohesion, peer communication, and overall performance.[8] For 2001-2002, the Australian state of Victoria estimated that its businesses lost over $57 million as a result of workplace bullying.[9]
Psychology of workplace bullies
According to Hare et al, "Bullies react aggressively in response to provocation or perceived insults or slights". Moreoever, they tend to exhibit lack of remorse, guilt and empathy, lack self-awareness of their behavior, and appear "unwilling or unable to moderate it, even when it is to their own advantage."[10]
Workplace bullying and the law
Most Western countries have enacted laws against workplace bullying. For example, in Victoria, Australia, there are stipulates that organizations may be found liable if a workplace bully endangers a worker's health by causing stress, or any other physical harm.[11] For another instance, in Ireland there is a "Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work".[12] In the United States, 13 states have enacted legislations specifically targeting workplace bullying.[13]
References
- ↑ Namie, Gary and Ruth Workplace Bullying Institute Brochure
- ↑ Amicus-MSF trade union, http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/defns.htm
- ↑ Farrell, A., & Geist-Martin, P. (2005). "Communicating social health: Perceptions of wellness at work". Management Communication Quarterly, 18, 543–592.
- ↑ http://bullyinginstitute.org/research/res/WBIsurvey2007.pdf
- ↑ Wilson, Bill. "Workplace bullying: A growing problem." BBC News, 19 February 2004. Online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3442331.stm; archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5U6Kq7ccb
- ↑ Hare, Robert and Babiak, Paul, Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work, Harper Collins, 2006.
- ↑ Ibid. 40% of workplace bullying victims reported to Zogby that they had to leave their job to get the bullying to stop.
- ↑ Lutgen-Sandvik, Pamela Take This Job and . . . : Quitting and Other Forms of Resistance to Workplace Bullying
- ↑ Canada Safety Council. "Targeting Workplace Bullies". Online at http://www.safety-council.org/info/OSH/bully-law.html; archived at http://www.webcitation.org/5U6LBWPQ8.
- ↑ Hare, Robert and Babiak, Paul, Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work, Harper Collins, 2006.
- ↑ Worksafe, Victorian Workcover Authority
- ↑ Republic of Ireland - 2007 Code of Practice for Employers and Employees on the Prevention and Resolution of Bullying at Work
- ↑ See http://workplacebullyinglaw.org