Seen “The Office?” Well, we thought the office bully had gone the way of the DoDo in this day and age. Unfortunately, a few do still exist. The tactics these social misfits use range from the subtle silent treatment to not-so-subtle verbal ridicule, the effects of which can ripple through the workplace.
A new study finds that while nearly 30 percent of U.S. workers have endured a punishing boss or co-worker, many individuals would not label themselves as bully targets. For those who do, it’s not just the bully victim who feels the heat. Witnesses in nearby cubicles are affected and show an increase in stress and overall dissatisfaction with their jobs.
The prevalence of bullying in the American workplace tops the rates found in Scandinavian countries and is on par with those in Great Britain, the scientists found.
The Top 10 negative acts experienced by bully victims:
• Had information withheld that affected your performance
• Been exposed to an unmanageable workload
• Ordered to do work below your level of competence
• Given tasks with unreasonable/impossible targets/deadlines
• Had your opinions and views ignored
• Had your work excessively monitored
• Reminded repeatedly of your errors or mistakes
• Humiliated or ridiculed in connection with your work
• Had gossip and rumors spread about you
• Had insulting/offensive remarks spread about you
Click here to read the whole story at LiveScience.com. Better yet, click here to read the 8 Bully Busting Tactics.
