How Bullying Affects People and Productivity at Work -Welcome to our new series Episode 3. Over the next several weeks, we re-visit a Fiore Group Training “bread and butter” topic; workplace bullying. We have taught thousands of workshops on the subject, making it easy to assume the issue is more manageable and even reduced in Canada. But is it? Together let’s explore the latest research, look at specific examples, and how to address the toxic culture. Stay with us and send in your thoughts as we progress. Let’s get to it.

The Effects of Bullying at Work

Our job at Fiore Group Training is to support our clients in their efforts to have a happy and healthy work environment. For over thirty years, we have been busy teaching, coaching, mentoring, consulting, writing, and/or podcasting about respectful behaviors that demonstrate the value of each human being. Workplace bullying has been a core topic, and for obvious reasons. Nothing says disrespect and devalues another human being (and consequently the entire organization), as does workplace bullying.

The Effects on Physical Health

This list names only the most reported physical conditions. Many variations on the theme get reported daily.

  • Insomnia – The day’s events haunt those affected – leaving workers emotionally drained and not having the healthy opportunity to rejuvenate their bodies. The result is sick days, anxiety, depression, loss of motivation, lack of energy, emotional volatility, and an overall reduction in productivity. (source)
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Digestive problems
  • High blood pressure

Refer to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Bullying in the workplace.

The Emotional Effects of Bullying

The effects of bullying are not limited to the physical realities but have authentic and consequential emotional effects in the workplace. The direct victims indeed suffer untold pain, and the emotional impact on the entire team, office space, department, or organization can be crippling to overall success.

Consider your workplace and the following indicators:

  • depression,
  • low self-esteem
  • panic attacks
  • post-traumatic stress symptoms
  • suicidal ideation

(Psychology Today has a wealth of information on the effects of Bullying at Work)

Organizational Effects of Bullying

The crippling effects on organizational productivity and profitability are well documented.

  • Work effort decreases
  • People are not willing to spend more time at work
  • Diminished performance
  • Loss of time worrying, talking, gossiping, protesting about the situation
  • Loss of time avoiding the perpetrator
  • Reduction in work performance
  • A decline in commitment to the organization
  • Loss of qualified and experienced people
  • High cost of recruiting and onboarding
  • Loss of reputation
  • Social Media attention

Other Sources:

Very Well Mind

Shrm.org 

Shameless Promotion of Respectful Workplace/ Prevent Bullying Training

I don’t hesitate to recommend budget allocation for Respectful Workplace Training! Along with other preventative measures, training is ground zero for setting the tolerance bar. At Fiore Group Training, we suggest that it is ZERO TOLERANCE. 

Next week we will take a closer look at the rise of workplace bullying in the face of our present social and political unrest.