We have all heard stories about workplace bullying, and many have experienced some type of bullying in their lifetime. In a 2017 study from the Workplace Bullying Institute, 60.3 million workers have been affected by bullying.
Bosses have often been found to be the main reason why individuals choose to leave a position, and 61 percent of identified bullies are bosses. In a study interviewing HR professionals, Teresa A. Daniel, JD, PhD found these differences between a tough boss and a bully.
Managers/leaders who bully:
In contrast, “tough bosses” might exhibit these characteristics:
Workplace bullying occurs in environments where for a variety of reasons individuals are not held accountable for their actions or the impacts they have on others. Below are six tips for you to take care of yourself and take power away from bullies both inside and outside of the workplace.
Bullies like to target people who, in some way, pose a threat to them. Most bullies target workers from a place of jealousy and insecurity. Bullies want to elevate their status by pushing others down or sabotaging their work. Common targets for bullies include:
Those who seem vulnerable: The bully seeks out people who are vulnerable and who are not likely to retaliate, challenge or report them. Bullies focus on coworkers who are:
Women: A survey by the Workplace Bullying Institute found that 70% of bullies were men with 65% of targets were women. The survey also revealed female bullies were also more likely to target women as well.
Racial minorities: Research findings from the Workplace Bullying Institute survey also show race can have an effect on the experience of workplace bullying. Hispanics report the highest rates of workplace bullying, African-Americans second highest and Asians the lowest.
LGBTQ+: Individuals whose sexual identity is non-heterosexual or whose gender is non-binary are often the targets of discrimination and bullying. Bullying is also perpetuated by the fact that bystanders are less likely to intervene to support LBGTQ+ individuals, due to their own biases.
Bullying is a difficult and complex issue that can affect us at any age and we can help! If your organization has concerns about bullying, we can provide a well being training on the topic of bullying in the workplace. In addition, our robust EAP offers in-the-moment telephonic support and counseling for our members.
Contact us if you are interested in learning more about our Well Being solutions for organizations.
Sources:
The Workplace Bullying Institute. http://www.workplacebullying.org/
Franklin, Charles. August 2017. How to Create the Bully-Proof Workplace. Smallbiztrends.com/2017.
Kane, Sally. August 16, 2018. Traits and Characteristics of Workplace Bully Target.
Ni, Preston. November 2016. 8 Ways to Handle Adult Bullies. Psychology Today.
White, Martha C. August 31, 2015. 8 Tips for Coping with an Angry Coworker.