Identifying and Navigating Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment is a prevalent issue characterized by persistent and harmful behavior, manifesting in various forms such as verbal abuse, personal attacks, degradation, and exclusion. Recognizing that this can occur to anyone, regardless of their position in the workplace hierarchy, is crucial.

Prevalence and Manifestations of Workplace Harassment:

Unfortunately, bullying within professional settings is not an uncommon phenomenon. The Workplace Bullying Institute surveyed 30% of employees who have endured bullying while at work. The prevalence is even higher among remote workers, with 43.2% reporting experiences of workplace bullying.

Impact on Employee Well-being and Organizational Success:

The repercussions of workplace bullying extend beyond individual well-being, affecting overall organizational performance and productivity. Azizi Marshall, LCPC, underscores the long-term negative impact on victims' mental health, self-esteem, and confidence. This piece explores the signs, consequences, and ways to address workplace bullying.

Recognizing Workplace Harassment:

Those subjected to workplace bullying often approach each workweek with dread and count down the days until their next respite. Visible signs of bullying include behaviors such as:

• Verbal belittlement and degradation
• Manipulation to undertake undesired tasks
• Disregard for individual efforts and contributions
• Public humiliation, often in front of colleagues or clients
• Deliberate exclusion from professional interactions
• Intimidation and coercion
• Dishonesty and false accusations
• Subtle jabs and derogatory comments
• Minimizing or dismissing concerns and inputs
• Unjustly taking credit for others' work
• Threatening job security or personal well-being
• Unwarranted critique and fault-finding

It's crucial to acknowledge that workplace bullying may not always be blatant and can manifest more insidiously, including gaslighting, where the victim's reality is manipulated and denied, leading them to question their perceptions and experiences.

Subtler Forms of Workplace Harassment:

Marshall highlights that bullying can also occur in less overt forms, such as:

• Purposeful exclusion from essential discussions, decision-making processes, or social events
• Intentional disregard or avoidance, potentially through 'forgetting' to extend invitations to crucial meetings
• Manipulation of information to serve personal agendas
• Evasion of responsibility or shifting topics to avoid accountability
• Exploiting emotions through guilt or shame to instill feelings of incompetence or unworthiness
• Undermining professional capabilities, hindering career progression
• Fostering a divisive and competitive work environment
• Arbitrary alteration of job responsibilities to cause disarray and frustration
• Setting unrealistic or ever-changing expectations to guarantee failure
• Unjustly devaluing individuals' work efforts and contributions

Consequences of Workplace Bullying:

Workplace bullying inflicts extensive damage, affecting victims' physical and mental health, job performance, and the overall workplace atmosphere. It has been linked to various health issues, including but not limited to high blood pressure, mood fluctuations, panic attacks, chronic stress, and digestive problems. Bullying also affects sleep patterns and can decrease job performance due to loss of motivation, difficulty concentrating, and increased absenteeism. The pervasive nature of bullying also extends to those not directly targeted, with coworkers witnessing the bullying also experiencing adverse effects.

Addressing Workplace Harassment:

Addressing workplace bullying requires a proactive and assertive approach. Marshall and Avigail Lev, PsyD, recommend setting clear boundaries, directly confronting bullying behavior, utilizing strategic coping mechanisms, documenting instances of bullying, seeking support from management or HR, and prioritizing self-care.

Employer's Role in Counteracting Workplace Harassment:

Employers play a pivotal role in mitigating workplace bullying. Marshall underscores the importance of enacting all-encompassing policies, establishing easily accessible support avenues, and promoting transparent communication in fostering a welcoming and diverse workplace atmosphere.

Conclusion:

Workplace bullying, whether overt or covert, has significant implications for individuals and organizations. Recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps to address and prevent bullying is crucial for maintaining employee well-being and ensuring organizational success.