Workplace Bullying

Why does it happen?

Factor 1

"The Way We Do Things Here" Work Culture Provides Cutthroat Competition Opportunities

Zero-sum competition. Employees are pitted against each other in positions or tasks that

allow only one winner to emerge from deliberate battles, creating many losers.

Factor 2

The Workforce Mix

A small percentage of employees see the Opportunities and are willing to harm others, at least

willing to try to harm others if they can get away with it. They are the manipulators. They are

Machiavellian, not necessarily disturbed or psychopathic. Mach’s can and would stop their

behavior if punished for hurting others.

Factor 3

The Employer's Response to Bullying

If positive consequences follow bullying, the bullies are emboldened. Promotions and rewards are

positive. But it is also positive if they are not punished. Bullies who bully others with impunity

become convinced they can get away with it forever.

-6 Reasons

Targets Are Skilled Workers

You may be bullied at work because you receive a lot of positive attention for your work. Maybe

you are intelligent, determined, creative and regularly contribute new and innovative ideas. Or

maybe you go the extra mile and gain recognition for your hard work. Maybe you even move

through projects quickly while others are struggling. All these things attract the attention of

workplace bullies.

Targets Are Well Liked or Popular

It is a myth that all victims of bullying are loners and outcasts with no friends or social connections.

Often, it is the popular and well-liked workers that are most vulnerable to workplace bullying. If

this describes you, bullies believe you pose a threat to their own popularity and social status at

work. Office mean girls, in particular, are likely to form cliques and target another woman who

threatens their status or social standing. If you are well-liked at work, this could be the reason

behind the attacks and jabs at you from the office bully.

Targets Are Good People

If you would describe yourself as caring, social and collaborative, this may be the reason that you

are being bullied. To a workplace bully, these characteristics drain the power they have at work.

Team building is the antithesis of what a bully wants. Bullies want to be in control and to call all

the shots. So, you may be targeted by bullies because you are a team player. This does not mean -

you should change your behavior. It simply gives you some insight into why you are being -
targeted. You also may be targeted for being ethical and honest. For instance, whistleblowers that

expose fraudulent practices are frequently bullied by others at work to keep quiet.

Targets Are Non-Confrontational or Vulnerable

If you are introverted, anxious, or submissive, you are more likely to be bullied at work than those

who are extroverted and assertive. There is also some evidence that depression and other stress-

related conditions might attract the attention of bullies. If you are suffering from any of these

conditions, it is important to get treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms.

Depression, anxiety and stress-related conditions should never be left untreated. What's more,

bullying will just exacerbate your symptoms.

Targets Are Viewed Stereotypically or Prejudicially

In other words, you may be targeted because of your gender, your age, your race, your sexual

preference or your religion. You also may be bullied if you have a disability or a disease. Whatever

the reason, workplace bullies single out and target people who are different from them in some

way. They also tend to discriminate against others. If you are being bullied for any of these reasons,

you may some legal recourse. Consider contacting the Equal Employment Opportunity

Commission (EEOC) to see if you can file a complaint.

Targets Have Physical Features That Attract Attention

Unfortunately, adults often bully others for the same reason kids target others in elementary school.

Whether you are short or tall, heavy, or thin, have a large chest or no chest at all, workplace bullies

will find a way to exploit your appearance. In fact, almost any type of physical characteristic that
is different or unique can attract the attention of bullies. This includes wearing glasses, having a

large nose, having ears that protrude, and even having adult acne.

Tactics

Research by the Workplace Bullying Institute, suggests that the following are the 25 most

common workplace bullying tactics.

1. Falsely accused someone of "errors" not actually made (71%).

2. Stared, glared, was nonverbally intimidating and was clearly showing hostility (68%).

3. Unjustly discounted the person's thoughts or feelings ("oh, that's silly") in meetings

(64%).

4. Used the "silent treatment" to "ice out" and separate from others (64%).

5. Exhibited presumably uncontrollable mood swings in front of the group (61%).

6. Made-up rules on the fly that even they did not follow (61%).

7. Disregarded satisfactory or exemplary quality of completed work despite evidence

(discrediting) (58%).

8. Harshly and constantly criticized, having a different standard for the target (57%).

9. Started, or failed to stop, destructive rumours or gossip about the person (56%).

10. Encouraged people to turn against the person being tormented (55%).

11. Singled out and isolated one person from other co-workers, either socially or physically

(54%).

12. Publicly displayed gross, undignified, but not illegal, behaviour (53%).

13. Yelled, screamed, threw tantrums in front of others to humiliate a person (53%).
14. Stole credit for work done by others (plagiarism) (47%).

15. Abused the evaluation process by lying about the person's performance (46%).

16. Declared target "insubordinate" for failing to follow arbitrary commands (46%).

17. Used confidential information about a person to humiliate privately or publicly (45%).

18. Retaliated against the person after a complaint was filed (45%).

19. Made verbal put-downs/insults based on gender, race, accent, age or language, disability

(44%).

20. Assigned undesirable work as punishment (44%).

21. Created unrealistic demands (workload, deadlines, duties) for person singled out (44%).

22. Launched a baseless campaign to oust the person; effort not stopped by the employer

(43%).

23. Encouraged the person to quit or transfer rather than to face more mistreatment (43%).

24. Sabotaged the person's contribution to a team goal and reward (41%).

25. Ensured failure of person's project by not performing required tasks, such as sign-offs,

taking calls, working with collaborators (40%)