Understanding Workplace Bullying

I continue to receive an increasing number of inquiries about the subject of bullying as it relates to campus civility. In December, I wrote about student bullying. However, bullying is not limited to students. Bullying can also affect the workplace, creating a toxic work environment that is apathetic, ineffective, and dysfunctional. College and university employers are no exception.

Workplace bullying involves deliberate, repeated, and hurtful acts that take place at work or in the course of employment. Bullying is distinguished from isolated acts of incivility in that bullying is intentional, systematic, and persists over time. The harassment occurs repeatedly and regularly (at least once a week) over a period of time (at least six months).  

Common examples of workplace bullying include verbal abuse, threatening and intimidating conduct, constant criticism, undermining of work performance, exclusion, marginalization, spreading rumors, overloading with work, and taunting. This conduct is characterized by unfair and unwarranted treatment. 

The goal of the bully is to use negative social pressure to humiliate, undermine, or demean the target. The deliberate and continuous pattern of abuse can cause severe psychological damage to the victim. In fact, the American Psychological Association recently reported that the psychological impact of dealing with workplace bullying may be more harmful than sexual harassment. 

There have been a number of studies that show that failing to address bullying in the workplace may have a significant financial impact on the employer. For example, a workplace that is ravished by bullying is less productive. Robert Sutton, management professor at Stanford University, estimates that productivity declines as much as 40 percent in workplaces dominated by bullies. Employees who are bullied have higher rates of absenteeism, are more distracted at work, and exhibit lower levels of morale and engagement. 

Another significant expense associated with workplace bullying is turnover related costs. A report released by No Workplace Bullies suggests that up to 30 percent of bullied employees, and up to 20 percent of employees who witness bullying, will resign when bullying persists. Turnover related costs, which often include recruitment, training, severance pay, and lost productivity, can be 50 percent or more of the exiting employeeҀs annual salary. Accordingly, replacing just one employee as a result of bullying could cost the employer thousands of dollars. 

Lost productivity and turnover related costs are not the only expenses. If bullying persists, employers could face unnecessary legal expenses in addressing employee conflict, lawsuits, and workers compensation claims. For example, the University of Virginia is currently defending a lawsuit seeking more than $10 million in damages. The lawsuit alleges the university negligently failing to address claims of bullying which resulted in an employee suicide. 

Bullying is a serious problem for employers. It can create an uncivil environment that reduces productivity, morale, and engagement and can drive some of the most talented employees out the door. These repercussions can take a significant financial toll on an organization. Accordingly, employers should take meaningful steps to promote a more respectful working environment and a culture of civility. When employees are afforded a safe and bully-free workplace, they will likely be more productive, innovative, and engaged. A culture of civility does not mean that colleagues will always agree, but rather differences will be vetted respectfully and without malicious personal attacks, threats, or verbal harassment.   

Kent M. Weeks 

Student Bullying in Higher Education

For many the subject of bullying conjures up images of harmless childhood pranks occurring on the playground. However, bullying is no longer limited to just the playground banter. It has become a significant problem in high schools, colleges, and even in the work place.

Bullying made national headlines in the context of higher education in 2010 when Tyler Clementi, a freshman at Rutgers University, committed suicide just three days after learning that his roommate had used a webcam to spy on him while kissing another man in his room. ClementiҀs suicide has caused many colleges and universities to reconsider how to address bullying on campus. While the prevalence of bullying in higher education is just beginning to be assessed, a 2011 study conducted by researchers at Indiana State University found that approximately 15 percent of the college students surveyed reported being bullied and 22 percent reported being cyberbullied.                

Bullying involves the systematic and persistent aggression or unwelcome pattern of intimidation and harassment by one person intentionally designed to humiliate, frighten, or isolate another. Victims are repeatedly exposed to negative actions, which may be physical (i.e., pushing, shoving, or stealing), verbal (i.e., spreading rumors, teasing, or taunting), or emotional (i.e., shunning, humiliating, or excluding). Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying has the potential to remain in the digital domain indefinitely. Through the Internet, the bully could potentially expose the victim to international embarrassment, which can have damaging effects on the victimҀs personal, social, and professional lives.  Ultimately, the bullyҀs goal is to control and intimidate victims.

The effects of bullying on victims can be profoundly destructive. Victims may suffer loss of concentration, anxiety, and insomnia. These conditions may impair the victimҀs academic performance and mental health. Victims may also suffer depression, decreased self-worth, hopelessness, and loneliness, which are often precursors to suicidal ideations. Bullying may also create an environment that is ripe for violence. A 2002 study conducted by the Secret Service found that 71 percent of students involved in school shootings had Ӏfelt persecuted, bullied, threatened, attacked or injured by others prior to the incident.Ԁ The correlation between bullying and victim violence is difficult to measure, but it appears that bullying may be a contributing factor.

Perhaps the best approach to addressing bullying is to focus on cultural changes on campus. Implementing programs, courses, and activities that promote a positive and inclusive community tend to go a long way toward fostering an environment of tolerance and mutual respect. College and universities might also use social norming to emphasize that the overwhelming majority of students believe bullying is reprehensible and not a shared community value. These types of approaches may be more effective for college students than rigid student codes. In our fast-paced, ever changing world, students may not realize how their conduct, especially online, can negatively affect others. Programs that focus on civility, mutual respect, and understanding can help new students conceptualize how their behavior can impact others and the entire community. 

Kent M. Weeks