Mobbing: what to do if you get survived from work

What is mobbing

Mobbing is a form of regular psychological pressure on a person in a professional team. In fact, this is bullying that happens at work, not at school.

Initially, the term appeared in biology, where mobbing becameW. J. Dominey. Mobbing in Colonially Nesting Fishes, Especially the Bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus / Copeia call the collective protective behavior of animals. For example, when several birds flock to ward off a predator.

In relation to people, this word was first usedH. Leymann. Mobbing and psychological terror at workplaces / Violence and victims Swedish psychologist Hants Leiman. This is how a specialist described a situation when one or several people in a team are systematically hostile to another colleague. It is usually difficult for the victim to defend himself, either because of personal qualities, or because of a lower position in the hierarchy of the company, or because of the lack of opportunities to influence the situation.

Bullying can come not only from colleagues about the same level as the victim, but also from superiorsS. Einarsen, M. B. Nielsen. Workplace bullying as an antecedent of mental health problems: a five-year prospective and representative study / International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health employees. For example, it can be constantly humiliating a subordinate. Chief. About half of the cases of mobbing are associated with the behavior of the leader.

Who falls victim to mobbing

There is no single statistic on how many people are being bullied in the workplace. Calculations give very different numbers: from 6.8% to 46.4%S. B. Matthiesen, S. Einarsen. Bullying in the workplace: Definition, prevalence, antecedents and consequences / International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, 15%L. S. Leach, C. Poyser, P. Butterworth. Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation / thoughts and behavior: a systematic review / Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 30%M. B. Nielsen, T. Tangen, T. Idsoe et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of bullying at work and at school. A literature review and meta ‑ analysis / Aggression and Violent Behavior, 39,1%R. M. Kowalski, A. Toth, M. Morgan. Bullying and cyberbullying in adulthood and the workplace / The Journal of Social Psychology from all workers.

However, there isO'Farrell G., Grimard C.M., Power J.L., Lee R.T. Targets of Workplace Bullying and Mistreatment: Helpless Victims or Active Provocateurs?. In: D'Cruz P. et al. (eds) Pathways of Job-related Negative Behavior. Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment, vol 2. certain groups that are more likely to be mobbed. For example, new employees. Bullying can be either a kind of "initiation" into the team, or the result of banal hostility and envy. Also, bullying can be caused by racial and other prejudices. In this case, representatives of minorities suffer the most. Finally, women are more likely toC. M. Hsien Chan, J. E. Wong, L. L. Ling Yeap et al. Workplace bullying and psychological distress of employees across socioeconomic strata: a cross-sectional study / BMC Public Health become victims of mobbing than men. Moreover, the former tend to be attacked by colleagues of both the opposite and their own sex.

The industry and the very specifics of the workplace also affect the prevalence of the phenomenon. For example, mobbing is more common in companies from developing countries because the corporate culture in such firms is still rather authoritarian.

Why mobbing appears

The reasons may vary.

Due to the nature of the abuser

It is knownM. B. Nielsen, T. Tangen, T. Idsoe et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of bullying at work and at school. A literature review and meta ‑ analysis / Aggression and Violent Behaviorthat those who bully classmates in school often do the same in adulthood. A tendency towards deviant behavior, such as a lack of empathy or abusive behavior, also largely determinesS. Nauman, S. Z. Malik, F. Jalil. How Workplace Bullying Jeopardizes Employees' Life Satisfaction: The Roles of Job Anxiety and Insomnia / Frontiers in Psychology the emergence of mobbing.

Out of jealousy and fear of losing your place

Often, opponents simply envy the victim and feelBullying at work / NHS from her a threat to their position. The arrival of a younger, more successful, educated, skilled or independent competitor raises the fear of losing their job. The abuser hopes that the victim will quit his job due to psychological pressure, and the threat will disappear by itself.

Due to a desire for power or a desire to shift your responsibilities

Mobbing can also be caused by the intention to subordinate another employee. The offenders will assert oneself and fulfill your lust for power. For example, forcing the victim to perform other people's tasks.

Due to the incompetence of the leader

The boss may resort to mobbing because of a peculiar management style, a desire to compensate for his own complexes, or simply incompetence. At the same time, groups within the team can adjoin the leader and thus increase the pressure on the victim.

Due to working conditions

For example, due to internal stressP. Pihl, K. Albersten, A. Hogh et al. Social capital and workplace bullying / Work in the team, which is caused by the obvious inequality of its members, the connivance of the bosses, the hopelessness of work and lowC. M. Hsien Chan, J. E. Wong, L. L. Ling Yeap et al. Workplace bullying and psychological distress of employees across socioeconomic strata: a cross-sectional study / BMC Public Health salary. In such conditions, the slightest excuse is enough for employees to start harassing some of their colleagues.

When mobbing appears,P. Pihl, K. Albersten, A. Hogh et al. Social capital and workplace bullying / Work influence such non-obvious features of the workplace as noise, a large number of people, excessive heat or cold in the room.

How mobbing can manifest itself

Here 1. Bullying at work / NHS
2. M. B. Nielsen, T. Tangen, T. Idsoe et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of bullying at work and at school. A literature review and meta ‑ analysis / Aggression and Violent Behavior
3. L. S. Leach, C. Poyser, P. Butterworth. Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation / thoughts and behavior: a systematic review / Occupational and Environmental Medicine
4. P. Pihl, K. Albersten, A. Hogh et al. Social capital and workplace bullying / Work
5. H. Leymann. Mobbing and psychological terror at workplaces / Violence and victims its most common types:

• constant unreasonable criticism;
• depreciation of the professional qualifications and personal contribution of the employee;
• boycott;
• hiding necessary business information or deceiving when discussing business issues;
• slander and false denunciations;
• mockery and offensive jokes;
• threats;
• theft and damage to personal belongings;
• sexual harassment and even direct physical abuse.

Attacks can occur both in front of everyone and in secret. For example, defamatory and offensive information mayR. M. Kowalski, A. Toth, M. Morgan. Bullying and cyberbullying in adulthood and the workplace / The Journal of Social Psychology transmitted via social networks and instant messengers.

What does not apply to mobbing

RegularBullying in the Workplace / Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety conflicts that are supported by both sides. For example, mutual reproaches between colleagues due to hostility to each other. Or quarrels over the fact that someone does not put the kettle in place. In general, all domestic and work disputes are without purpose to persecute and humiliate someone.

Also, mobbing is not considered constructive criticism, planned distribution of duties, positions and salaries, fines and penalties for violation of disciplinary rules.

Why is mobbing dangerous?

Bullying is a powerful stressor that negatively affects both mental and physical health.

Victims often haveM. B. Nielsen, T. Tangen, T. Idsoe et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of bullying at work and at school. A literature review and meta ‑ analysis / Aggression and Violent Behavior post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The negative consequences of workplace bullying canS. Einarsen, M. B. Nielsen. Workplace bullying as an antecedent of mental health problems: a five-year prospective and representative study / International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health manifest in a person even after they have stopped. Therefore, bullying increases by 68%L. S. Leach, C. Poyser, P. Butterworth. Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation / thoughts and behavior: a systematic review / Occupational and Environmental Medicine the likelihood of psychological problems in the future. Moreover, mobbing causesC. M. Hsien Chan, J. E. Wong, L. L. Ling Yeap et al. Workplace bullying and psychological distress of employees across socioeconomic strata: a cross-sectional study / BMC Public Health stress and those who witnessed it.

In terms of physical health, mobbing can worsenA. M. Hansen, M. Gullander, A. Hogh et al. Workplace bullying, sleep problems and leisure-time physical activity: a prospective cohort study / Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health sleep and somatic painM. B. Nielsen, T. Tangen, T. Idsoe et al. Post-traumatic stress disorder as a consequence of bullying at work and at school. A literature review and meta ‑ analysis / Aggression and Violent Behavior. Bullying also increasesS. Einarsen, M. B. Nielsen. Workplace bullying as an antecedent of mental health problems: a five-year prospective and representative study / International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetesT. Xu, L. L. Magnusson Hanson, T. Lange et al. Workplace bullying and violence as risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a multicohort study and meta ‑ analysis / Diabetologia the second type.

Mobbing is also harmful for employers. For example, due to bullying,L. S. Leach, C. Poyser, P. Butterworth. Workplace bullying and the association with suicidal ideation / thoughts and behavior: a systematic review / Occupational and Environmental Medicine absenteeism, staff turnover and the risk of incidents are increasing, and profits are declining. Ignoring or supporting mobbing on the part of the bosses in general can lead to the disintegration of the work collective.

What to do if you get bullied at work

Here's how to protect yourself.

Try to calm down and not take the misbehavior of your colleagues personally.

Most likely, the criticism is unfounded and has nothing to do with your abilities. It reflects the critics' own weaknesses. This is how ill-wishers try to intimidate and control you. So tryBullying at work / NHS keep calm and not succumb to provocations. Do not try to prove anything to the offenders: they should explain their behavior.

Try to talk to those who offend you.

If possible, tryBullying at work / NHS discuss what is happening with the instigator of the bullying. Perhaps he himself does not understand that his behavior is hurting you. Think about what you say in advance. Give your version of what's going on and explain why you don't like it. Be calm and polite. Warn you not to sit back while being bullied. This often scares off spiteful critics.

Record all the facts of bullying

Try itBullying at work / NHS record the facts of insults on a dictaphone or video, make screenshots defamatory posts or messages. This will help prove that you are being bullied. It is not necessary to go to court with the materials - you can use them as an argument to push the offender against the wall and make him stop bullying.

Tell us about your problem

Do not be shyBullying at work / NHS say that you are being insulted. Report mobbing to a manager or someone who oversees work discipline, such as a union or HR representative. Perhaps this will help solve the problem in an informal way. Or at least they will give you advice on what to do next.

See a psychotherapist

Do not hesitate to contact a therapist if your mental health has already been harmed. There is no shame in this. Besides, good specialist really able to help you.

File a formal complaint

If it didn't work out to reason with the offender in an informal way, go to administrative measures. WriteBullying at work / NHS a formal complaint to the manager or to the labor protection service.

If that doesn't work, go to court. Just consult a lawyer first, because it will be extremely difficult to prove the fact of attacks. Therefore, recordings of conversations with offenders, fragments of correspondence may be useful to you. Thus, it may be possible to attract the offender for insults or defamation.