Signs of Workplace Bullying

Heather Scott, PhD (2018) argues power and control are used similarly by workplace bullies and perpetrators of domestic violence. Below are a few signs of workplace bullying. As shown in Scott’s Wheel of Power and Control, workplace bullies manipulate, abuse, control, isolate, and disempower targets in much the same ways that perpetrators of intimate partner violence abuse and terrorize their significant others. Like survivors of domestic violence, bullied workers experience severe physical, psychological, and economic injuries from the abuse, which Dr. Scott notes as: 1. Emotional Distress: including depression, suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 2. Psychiatric Distress: increased anger, anxiety, feelings of powerlessness, and sadness, and lower levels of self-esteem, which affects their overall stress levels and interactions outside the workplace 3. Physical Health problems: chronic illnesses, drug and alcohol abuse, headaches, sleep disorders, and higher health care costs 4. Work-Related Distress: burnout, absenteeism, low morale, less job satisfaction, loss of income, and fewer total hours worked Dr. Scott writes that, “an abusive workplace environment is ultimately changed by strong leadership and management of abusers; change is not the responsibility of the victim. Lack of action by employers aware of abuse in the workplace may signify that an abusive workplace serves the employer.” I am especially struck by the notion that employers who refuse to address signs of workplace bullying tolerate the abuser because the abuse serves them. Talk about dereliction of duty! Reference: Scott, H. S. (2018). Extending the Duluth model to workplace bullying: A modification and adaptation of the workplace power-control wheel. Workplace health & safety, 66(9), 444-452. https://lnkd.in/gKrWipTX

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