As much as we like to think we leave issues like bullying behind us in high school, this is not always the case. In fact, bullying at the workplace is a rampant issue that can result in harassment or even discrimination.
Knowing that it is possible, the next thing to do is keep an eye on red flags. What does bullying at the workplace look like? And what can you do about it?
Bullying and harassment
According to The Muse, bullies unfortunately persist after high school. A study they discuss states that 19 percent of people in a phone survey claimed to have faced bullying at work. Another 19 percent of participants claimed to face bullying directly.
Experts note that bullying and harassment often bleed into one another. Both are unwarranted and unwanted. Both are undeserved and uninvited. Like harassment, bullying can also majorly affect your career.
Hostile workplace environments
Frequent bullying can make you dread going to work. The constant mental and emotional stress can make you underperform while on the job. It can even rob you of a good night’s sleep, which will further impact your performance. In essence, it often becomes difficult or even impossible to maintain your usual work quality. Many victims of frequent bullying often feel pushed to take radical action, even considering quitting.
In creating a hostile workplace environment, bullying may fall under the legal definition of harassment. This is especially true if it involves your status within a protected class, such as bullying based on race or gender. If you face such bullying, consider contacting a legal team to examine your options.
