workplace bullying
Hostile coworker mistreatment
Workplace bullying is repeated mistreatment of an employee—intimidation, humiliation, sabotage, or verbal abuse—that threatens, demeans, or undermines their work.
Unlike isolated conflicts, bullying involves a pattern of behavior: The constant criticism and public ridicule amounted to workplace bullying.
It may come from supervisors or peers and often falls short of legally actionable harassment while still causing significant harm.
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
ridicule · taunting · ostracism · exclusion · scapegoating · gaslighting · undermining · sabotage
Misusing entrusted authority
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- controlAuthority to direct
authority · hierarchy · superiority · subjugation · oppression · micromanagement · favoritism · exploitation
Pressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- depressionProlonged low state
- traumaLasting psychological wound
distress · helplessness · fear · dread · insomnia · low self-esteem · shame · isolation
Legally actionable workplace harassment
- incivilityRude or impolite behavior
- disrespectLack of regard
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- infightingRivalry within one organization
cliques · enabling · bystander effect · normalization · complicity · lack of accountability · high turnover · low morale
Conveying documented information
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- whistleblowingExposing hidden wrongdoing internally
- investigationFormal examination of facts
mediation · policy violation · zero tolerance · intervention · witness statement · legal action · resignation · transfer request
harassment
Aggressive, unwanted targeting
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- humiliationLoss of dignity
- belittlingExpressing contempt or dismissiveness
mockery · ridicule · taunting · ostracism · exclusion · scapegoating · gaslighting · undermining · sabotage · mobbing
abuse of power
Misusing entrusted authority
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
control · authority · hierarchy · superiority · subjugation · oppression · micromanagement · favoritism · exploitation · retaliation
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- burnoutChronic occupational depletion
- depressionProlonged low state
trauma · distress · helplessness · fear · dread · insomnia · low self-esteem · shame · isolation · withdrawal
hostile work environment
Legally actionable workplace harassment
- incivilityRude or impolite behavior
- disrespectLack of regard
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
infighting · cliques · enabling · bystander effect · normalization · complicity · lack of accountability · high turnover · low morale · retaliation
reporting
Conveying documented information
- documentationWritten proof or instructions
- grievanceFormal claim of unfairness
- whistleblowingExposing hidden wrongdoing internally
investigation · mediation · policy violation · zero tolerance · intervention · witness statement · legal action · resignation · transfer request · counseling
- workplace stressjob stress, work stress, occupational stress, job burnout, job anxiety
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, menace
- social crueltyharassment, humiliation, shaming, mocking, taunting
- workplace disputesgrievance, complaint, wrongful termination, wrongful dismissal, unfair dismissal
- workplace psychologyorganizational culture, employee motivation, job stress, office politics, micromanagement
- harassmentstalking, groping, catcalling, verbal abuse, threats
workplace bullyingmentorship
Guidance from experienced person
psychological safety · peer support · positive reinforcement · team collaboration · empowerment
workplace bullyinginclusive workplace
Job setting embracing diversity
psychological safety · workplace wellness · open communication
worker, bully, working, workers, worked, bullying, bullied, workman, workmen