Workplace Abuse

Workplace abuse (sometimes called workplace bullying) is repeated, health-harming mistreatment of targets by one or more perpetrators that takes one or more of the following forms:

• Verbal abuse
• Offensive conduct/behaviors (including nonverbal) which are threatening, humiliating, or intimidating
• Work interference — sabotage — which prevents work from getting done.

Workplace abuse is often subtle. It is:

• Driven by perpetrators’ need to control the targeted individual(s)
• Initiated by abusers who choose targets, timing, place, and methods
• Escalated to involve others who side with the abuser, either voluntarily through coercion.
• Undermining of legitimate business interests when abusers’ personal agendas take precedence over work itself
• Domestic violence at work where the abuser is on the payroll

A 2014 national survey by Zogby International and the Workplace Bullying Institute found that:

• 27% of workers have experienced workplace abuse
• 72% of employers who received complaints about workplace abuse either ignored the problem or made it worse
• 56% of workplace abusers are supervisors
• Abusers can be managers, supervisors, co-workers, or clients. The abuser’s target is usually a capable, dedicated person. 80% of targets are women.

Common abusive behaviors

• False accusations of mistakes and errors
• Yelling, shouting, and screaming
• Exclusion and “the silent treatment”
• Withholding resources and information necessary to the job
• Behind-the-back sabotage and defamation
• Use of put-downs, insults, and excessively harsh criticism
• Unreasonably heavy work demands
• Spreading rumors and gossip
• Making offensive jokes or comments, verbally or in writing
• Discounting achievements and stealing credit for ideas or work
• Disciplining or threatening job loss without reason
• Taking away work or responsibility without cause
• Blocking requests for training, leave or promotion
• Pestering, spying, stalking, or tampering with personal belongings and equipment

What abuse is not

• Enforcing workplace policies and procedures
• Evaluating or measuring performance
• Providing constructive feedback
• Denying training or leave requests with good reason
• Discussing disciplinary action in private
• Dismissing, suspending, demoting, or reprimanding with just cause

Why abusers abuse

• Sideline someone they feel is a threat (the target)
• Further their own agenda at the expense of others
• Deny responsibility for their own behavior
• Mask their lack of confidence and low self-esteem

Types of harm from which targets suffer

• Stress disorders of all types, including anxiety
• Shock, anger, frustration, and helplessness
• Clinical depression or suicidal thoughts
• High blood pressure
• Cardiovascular disease
• Loss of sleep
• Loss of focus, confidence, morale, and productivity
• Eating too much or too little
• Stomach pain
• Headaches
• Impaired immune systems
• Symptoms consistent with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Destructive impact on family and personal relationships

Source: Workplace Bullying Institute