An article in the current issue of the journal Human Relations, "Escaping Bullying: the Simultaneous Impact of Individual and Unit-Level Bullying On Turnover Intentions," has highlighted a factor of bullying that often goes unrecognized—that witnesses to workplace bullying are often as affected as the victims, themselves.
In this study, a sample of 357 nurses in 41 different hospital units were surveyed. The researchers found that, "Importantly, employees report similarly high turnover intentions when they are either the direct target of bullying or when they work in work units characterized by high bullying. Results also suggest that the impact of unit-level bullying is stronger on those who are not often directly bullied themselves."
What was surprising about this study was that the turnover intention was just as high in the witnesses as it was in the victims. Another study (Rayner et al.) showed that 20% of witnesses decided to look for another job. For managers, this means that a single bully can have an exponential effect on the work environment and employee satisfaction.
This study measured turnover intention, but other studies have shown other negative impacts to witnesses of workplace bullying:
- Einarson et al—21% reported lower job satisfaction and 27% reported lower productivity in their department
- Hoel and Cooper—32% reported lower efficiency and 28% reported reduced motivation for themselves
- Rayner—73% reported increased stress levels and 44% worried about becoming a target of bullying; only 16% reported no effect at all
- Lutgen-Sandvik et al—significantly lowered work quality and satisfaction, higher stress and feelings of negativity
We Can Help
We can help—through training programs on addressing bullying in the workplace, consulting with managers, and advising individual managers through their EAP benefit. Just call your account manager at 800.383.1908 to learn more.
And, Deb Wood, one of our senior EAP consultants, will be speaking on the topic of workplace bullying this fall at two conferences (see below)—be sure to attend her session if you're going to either of these conferences.
Call VITAL WorkLife at 800.383.1908 or access resources through your VITAL WorkLife App.
