The Impact of Workplace Bullying

I prepared to write this paper by reflecting back on times when I saw workplace bullying and the affects it had on the individuals involved. According to the Workforce Bullying Institute (WBI), "workplace bullying is the repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (the 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; and work interference - sabotage - which prevents work from getting done", (Definition of Workplace Bullying, para, 1). In this paper I will provide a review of the 2011 article entitled Workplace Bullying: Costly and Preventable describing the impact of workplace bullying on the victims and the organization along with personal experiences where I witnessed workplace bullying. I will conclude with the recommendation of two techniques from the article that can be implemented in workplace bullying.

Workplace bullying, as described by Wiedmer, (2011), "is a pervasive practice by malicious individuals who seek power, control, domination, and subjugation". The impacts of workplace bullying can be seen with low morale; low production and can even lead to health issues to the targeted individual in the terms of cardiovascular problems such as hypertension, strokes, and even heart attacks. These health issues will lead to a person calling off work which again leads to lower production. "The Workforce Bullying Institute reports that: 61% of bullying occurs within the same gender, and 71% of female bullies target other women... Bullies typically target individual(s) they perceive to pose a threat. Targets were reportedly better liked, had more social skills, likely possessed higher emotional intelligence, and were appreciated by colleagues, customers, and management for the warmth and care they brought to the workplace" (Wiedmer, 2011). Workplace bullying is also a form of destructive messaging. "Destructive messages take many forms, including those used to harass others. Sexual harassment comments, racial remarks, and statements about another person's intellectual level or body type hurt co-workers. Destructive messages belittle the other person" (Baack, 2012, pg. 269).