Newest research into combatting bullying behavior in the workplace involves making employees aware if they are being bullied. Many problems that are assumed to be stress related are actually related to bullying and the emotional toil that living under bullying conditions takes from people. A recent study found that more than 45% of people who were being bullied at work suffered from post traumatic stress disorder symptoms, heart problems, anxiety, vomiting at night and a general lowering of natural defenses against illness.
Workplace bullying does not only affect the employees being bullied. Costs in employees quitting, not reporting to work, and increased health claims add to a companes cost of doing business. Eventually, a company that allows workplace bullying to continue without taking action will begin to have a reputation and will find it hard to recruit new employees to take the place of those who have left due to bullying.
One significant fact is that workplace bullying is more difficult for the employee being bullied to deal with in court or even at work. Sexual harassment can be more easily dealt with than being bullied at work. The problem with passing legislation protecting workers from bullies is that it will also increase a companies liability in court and in paying out to employees who win in court. Knowing that you are sick because you are being bullied is supposed to give you the option of learning how to deal with the bullying at work or leave.
What the employee who is showing signs of physical illness because of workplace bullying needs to do is to find some legal recourse on his own, quit his job or report the bully which might not be a wise choice. Bullying at work is not a new phenomenon but workers who have options of finding work elsewhere don’t have to grin and bear it if their health is being seriously jeopardized.
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