Workplace Bullying on the Rise

We have learned that there is an organization called the Workplace Bullying Institute, which, according to their website, has been in operation for 27 years. (There is no address given, but their phone number is in western Washington State. Their website is https://workdoctor.com.) According to them, 30% of employees nationwide have experienced workplace bullying; this is up from 17% four years ago. They state that the main difference between bullying and harassment is that harassment is bullying based on a protected characteristic, such as race, gender, etc. The following is excerpted from their website: “Bullying often starts with subtle acts of incivility—little violations of respect that add up over time to create a hostile environment. Managers need to watch for these early warning signs and nip any inappropriate behavior in the bud.” They go on to say that bullying can be done in person or via electronic communications. They further state that bullying left unaddressed by management leads to higher turnover, and lower morale and retention, and a hostile work environment, among other negative outcomes. The bottom line is that managers need to keep communication channels open so employees experiencing any work-related problems are not hesitant to come forward to get them resolved.