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The Unseen Battle

Deconstructing Workplace Bullying Dynamics: An in-depth analysis of persistent mistreatment in professional environments.

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Defining Workplace Bullying

Core Concept

Workplace bullying is characterized as a persistent pattern of mistreatment, encompassing verbal, nonverbal, psychological, and physical abuse, as well as humiliation. This conduct causes demonstrable physical and/or emotional harm to individuals within the professional environment.[1] It represents a form of workplace aggression that is often insidious, operating within or exploiting organizational rules.

Key Characteristics

While definitions vary, consensus identifies several critical features:

  • Repetition: The behavior occurs regularly.
  • Duration: The mistreatment is enduring over time.
  • Escalation: Aggression tends to increase.
  • Power Disparity: The target often lacks the power to effectively defend themselves.
  • Attributed Intent: The behavior is perceived as intentionally harmful.

These elements distinguish bullying from isolated incidents or general job stress.[18][19][20]

Diverse Manifestations

Researchers like Gary and Ruth Namie define it as "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."[12] Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik further elaborates, describing it as "persistent verbal and nonverbal aggression at work, that includes personal attacks, social ostracism, and a multitude of other painful interactions."[13]

Statistical Landscape

Prevalence Rates

Empirical studies indicate a significant prevalence of workplace bullying. European and North American research typically reports rates between 10% and 15% for persistent bullying.[8] The 2007 WBI-Zogby survey found that nearly half of American workers (49%) reported being affected, either as targets or witnesses.[26] More recent data from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey indicated 7.4% of workers experienced threats, bullying, or harassment.[27]

Perpetrator Dynamics

The majority of bullying incidents (approximately 72%) are perpetrated by individuals in positions of authority over the victim.[25] However, bullying can also occur between peers or even from subordinates to superiors (upward bullying), often involving strategic manipulation.[2][3][4]

Organizational Impact

Beyond individual harm, bullying significantly impacts organizational health. It can lead to decreased employee morale, shifts in organizational culture, and substantial financial costs due to lost productivity, increased absenteeism, and employee turnover.[6]

Demographic Considerations

Gender Disparities

Research suggests women are disproportionately targeted, with studies indicating 57% of targets are female.[26] While men may be more likely to engage in bullying behavior (60%), female bullies often target other women (71%).[30] However, findings can vary, with some studies noting higher prevalence among male staff in specific sectors like UK healthcare.[33]

Racial and Ethnic Factors

Data from the US suggests variations in reported bullying experiences across racial and ethnic groups. Hispanics and Black individuals reported higher combined prevalence rates compared to White and Asian individuals.[26] Conversely, Asian and White individuals reported higher rates of witnessing bullying.

Other Correlates

Additional demographic factors have been associated with increased risk:

  • Marital Status: Divorced or separated workers report higher prevalence of hostile work environments.[36]
  • Education: Those with some college education or a high school diploma/GED may experience higher rates than those with less formal education.[36]
  • Age: While some studies suggest older employees are more likely to be bullied,[citation needed] other data indicates lower prevalence among workers aged 65 and older compared to younger age groups.[36]

Typology of Behaviors

Common Tactics

Workplace bullying manifests through a wide array of tactics, often categorized for analysis. The Workplace Bullying Institute identified 25 common tactics, including:

  • Falsely accusing someone of errors.
  • Intimidating stares and hostility.
  • Discounting thoughts or feelings in meetings.
  • Using the "silent treatment."
  • Harsh and constant criticism.
  • Spreading rumors or gossip.
  • Isolating individuals socially or physically.
  • Public humiliation or ridicule.
  1. Falsely accused someone of "errors" not actually made (71%).
  2. Stared, glared, was nonverbally intimidating and was clearly showing hostility (68%).
  3. Unjustly discounted the person's thoughts or feelings (“oh, that's silly”) in meetings (64%).
  4. Used the “silent treatment” to “ice out” and separate from others (64%).
  5. Exhibited presumably uncontrollable mood swings in front of the group (61%).
  6. Made-up rules on the fly that even they did not follow (61%).
  7. Disregarded satisfactory or exemplary quality of completed work despite evidence (discrediting) (58%).
  8. Harshly and constantly criticized, having a different standard for the target (57%).
  9. Started, or failed to stop, destructive rumors or gossip about the person (56%).
  10. Encouraged people to turn against the person being tormented (55%).
  11. Singled out and isolated one person from other co-workers, either socially or physically (54%).
  12. Publicly displayed gross, undignified, but not illegal, behaviour (53%).
  13. Yelled, screamed, threw tantrums in front of others to humiliate a person (53%).
  14. Stole credit for work done by others (plagiarism) (47%).
  15. Abused the evaluation process by lying about the person's performance (46%).
  16. Declared target "insubordinate" for failing to follow arbitrary commands (46%).
  17. Used confidential information about a person to humiliate privately or publicly (45%).
  18. Retaliated against the person after a complaint was filed (45%).
  19. Made verbal put-downs/insults based on gender, race, accent, age or language, disability (44%).
  20. Assigned undesirable work as punishment (44%).
  21. Created unrealistic demands (workload, deadlines, duties) for person singled out (44%).
  22. Launched a baseless campaign to oust the person; effort not stopped by the employer (43%).
  23. Encouraged the person to quit or transfer rather than to face more mistreatment (43%).
  24. Sabotaged the person's contribution to a team goal and reward (41%).
  25. Ensured failure of person's project by not performing required tasks, such as sign-offs, taking calls, working with collaborators (40%).

These tactics often aim to undermine professional status, personal standing, or destabilize the target.[61][62]

Personality and Culture

Certain personality traits are frequently associated with individuals who engage in bullying behaviors. Research highlights links between bullying and traits such as psychopathy, narcissism, and Machiavellianism.[103][108][110] Executives exhibiting traits of histrionic, narcissistic, and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders have also been identified.[100]

Organizational culture plays a critical role, with a "climate of fear" and "kiss up, kick down" dynamics enabling bullying to persist.[49][52]

Forms of Bullying

Bullying can manifest in various forms:

  • Serial Bullying: One individual targets multiple victims.
  • Gang/Group Bullying (Mobbing): A group targets an individual, often involving scapegoating.
  • Cyberbullying: Utilizing technology for harassment.
  • Corporate/Organizational Bullying: Employer abuses employees with impunity, often due to weak legal frameworks or market conditions.

These categories highlight the diverse strategies and contexts in which bullying occurs.[88]

Consequences and Costs

Psychological and Physical Health

Workplace bullying exacts a severe toll on employee well-being. Stress is the most prevalent effect, correlating with poor mental and physical health outcomes. Targets frequently report symptoms such as panic attacks (52%), clinical depression (49%), sleep disruption, and concentration difficulties.[112] In severe cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is reported by up to 77% of targets.[116]

Financial Ramifications

The financial burden on organizations is substantial. Costs arise from increased sick leave, reduced productivity, higher staff turnover, and potential litigation. Estimates suggest that for an organization of 1,000 employees, costs could exceed $1.2 million annually, excluding legal expenses. The cumulative cost in the UK alone was estimated at £1.88 billion.[122]

Organizational Performance

Beyond direct financial costs, bullying erodes organizational assets by diminishing employee morale, hindering necessary cooperation, and negatively impacting productivity at multiple levels. Witnessing bullying can also lead to fear, stress, and emotional exhaustion among colleagues, often prompting them to leave the organization.[13]

Organizational Culture and Climate

Climate of Fear

A pervasive "climate of fear" can emerge when bullying is tolerated or implicitly supported by senior management. This environment discourages open communication and makes employees feel resigned, perceiving abuse as an inevitable aspect of the job.[46][51] Authoritarian leadership styles often contribute to this climate, limiting dialogue and making complaints seem futile.[45]

Kiss Up, Kick Down Dynamics

A common behavioral pattern involves individuals showing deference to superiors while exhibiting aggressive or bullying behavior towards subordinates. This "kiss up, kick down" dynamic allows bullies to conceal their abusive actions from management, often by blaming subordinates for failures or creating an environment of constant stress.[52][53]

Geographical and Cultural Influences

Cultural dimensions, such as performance orientation and power distance, can influence the acceptability and prevalence of workplace bullying. Cultures valuing performance may tolerate bullying as a cost of achievement, whereas those emphasizing humane orientation or interpersonal relationships tend to show less acceptance.[citation needed][citation needed]

Historical Context

Origins of Research

The academic study of workplace bullying has its roots in Scandinavian research conducted in the late 1970s, initially focusing on bullying within school environments.[8] This foundational work laid the groundwork for subsequent investigations into similar phenomena within professional settings.

UK Legal Framework

In the United Kingdom, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has established Management Standards to address occupational stress, which can encompass bullying. Managers failing to meet these standards, particularly regarding managing relationships and unacceptable behavior, may be identified as engaging in bullying.[47][1]

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References

References

  1.  Namie, Gary and Ruth Workplace Bullying Institute Definition
  2.  Salin D, Helge H "Organizational Causes of Workplace Bullying" in Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace: Developments in Theory, Research, and Practice (2010)
  3.  T Portis (2 January 2011) Understanding the Psychology of the Kiss-Up/Kick-Down Leader Lightkeepers Journal
  4.  Marcello C Perceptions of Workplace Bullying Among IT Professionals: A correlational analysis of workplace bullying and psychological empowerment of Workplace Bullying Among IT Professionals (2010)
  5.  Spacey, S. 2015. 1. Overview of the Cyberbullying Supported by Waikato University Case. ERA Case 5519228, New Zealand. Retrieved on 11 November 2015.
  6.  Spacey, S. 2015. 2. Details of the Cyberbullying Supported by Waikato University Case. ERA Case 5519228, New Zealand Retrieved on 11 November 2015.
  7.  Power & Control in the Workplace American Institute on Domestic Violence
  8.  Beale, D. (2001). Monitoring bullying in the workplace. In N. Tehrani (Ed.), Building a culture of respect, managing bullying at work.
  9.  Clarke J Working with Monsters: How to Identify and Protect Yourself from the Workplace Psychopath (2012)
  10.  Baibak, P; Hare, R. D Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go to Work (2007)
  11.  Roberts, G. S. (2014). Power Harassment'and the Workplace Environment in Japan: The Evolution of the Concept Amidst Uncertain Times (Doctoral dissertation, Waseda University).
A full list of references for this article are available at the Workplace bullying Wikipedia page

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This is not professional advice. The information presented here does not constitute legal, psychological, or HR consultation. Readers are strongly advised to consult with qualified professionals for specific guidance related to workplace issues, legal matters, or personal well-being. Reliance on any information provided herein is solely at the user's own risk.

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