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Workplace Bullying Awareness

As summer ends and some staff return from time away, it is an opportunity to revisit how to create and foster an inclusive work environment for all. An inclusive workplace can help employees feel more engaged with their work and teams. This month we’re bringing awareness to workplace bullying.

What is bullying in the workplace?

Workplace bullying can include any number of behaviors of abuse conduct, performed in a pattern against an individual, such as persistent, unreasonable criticism, undue blame, swearing or cursing, intentionally ignoring or isolating someone socially, attempts to humiliate someone, targeting pranks or practical jokes, spreading false rumors, shouting or screaming, and telling someone they should quit. As hybrid and remote work are more common, workplace bullying also includes repeated mistreatment through social media, email, or productivity platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams).

Bullying behavior becomes harassment when it is directed based on race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or genetic information. Behaviors associated with harassment include microaggressions and use of exclusionary language.

Both bullying and harassment can lead to a hostile work environment for staff. A hostile environment results from unwelcome conduct of supervisors, co-workers, customers, contractors, or anyone else with whom the individual interacts on the job. This unwelcome conduct creates an atmosphere of intimidation, aggression, antagonism, or hostility.

Demographics and key facts

Research shows the importance of addressing workplace bullying and other types of harassment. Bullying in the workplace can impact the mental health of those being targeted and is associated with reduced confidence or self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The effects are also seen in the workplace itself as this type of bullying is linked to higher rates of absenteeism and turnover as well as decreased job satisfaction, commitment to work, and productivity.

In a 2017 study, one in five U.S. workers reported experiencing threatening or hostile work environments. Another 2021 report found 30% of Americans and 43% of remote workers reported they experienced workplace bullying. Men were twice as likely to both perpetrate and be the target of bullying. Black individuals reported lower levels of organizational support and support from coworkers when they were the target of bullying compared to their white counterparts.

Call to action

For staff

For supervisors

Helpful links