Workplace bullying on the rise

[Forever Sunshine]

Most workers, even those who love their jobs, would probably say their job has caused them stress at some point. Throw in job insecurity, an increased workload and intensified pressure to perform, and stress levels can hit the roof. On top of that, some workers may also be faced with workplace bullying.

While workplace bullying isn't new, it is becoming more prevalent. According to a new CareerBuilder study, 35 percent of workers said they have felt bullied at work, up from 27 percent last year.

Bullying can cause more harm than hurt feelings or bruised egos; 17 percent of the workers who said they've felt bullied also reported that they quit their jobs to escape the situation. Sixteen percent said they suffered health problems as a result.

The profile of a bully

The study, which included more than 3,800 workers nationwide, revealed that bullies can be found at all levels within a company. Of workers who felt bullied, most pointed to incidents with their bosses (48 percent) or co-workers (45 percent). Thirty-one percent say they have been picked on by customers and 26 percent by someone higher up in the company other than their boss. Fifty-four percent of those bullied said they were tormented by someone older, while 29 percent said the bully was younger.

msn.careerbuilder.com/Article/MSN-3114-Workplace-Issues-Workplace-bullying-on-the-rise-according-to-new-study/?SiteId=cbmsnhp43114&sc_extcmp=JS_3114_home1

[starlight07]

You can get bullied anywhere I suppose. Work place becomes a school.

[dom]

Work place becomes a school.

An extension of one you mean.

[starlight07]

Sept 19, 2012 15:55:19 GMT -5 @dom said:

Work place becomes a school.

An extension of one you mean.

Yes, exactly. You get to see bullying at school. You'd expect as people to mature, they'll grow out of it but they don't.

[Forever Sunshine]

Why would they grow out of it when bullying works for them and gets them what the want/need?

[starlight07]

Sept 20, 2012 7:02:11 GMT -5 Forever Sunshine said:

Why would they grow out of it when bullying works for them and gets them what the want/need?

I find bullying to be childish but I reckon it's a way for some people to feel good about themselves.

[starlight07]

Fifty-four percent of those bullied said they were tormented by someone older, while 29 percent said the bully was younger.

Many bullies do tend to be old in age. They think they are in control or are the boss. Bullies don't like changes and new situations.

I had to deal with a bullying incident at school this week where the new girls were bullied by the other girls in the class. It was a case of not 'accepting' the new girls.

[willingsniper]

Sept 22, 2012 10:12:56 GMT -5 starlight07 said:

Fifty-four percent of those bullied said they were tormented by someone older, while 29 percent said the bully was younger.

Many bullies do tend to be old in age. They think they are in control or are the boss. Bullies don't like changes and new situations.

I had to deal with a bullying incident at school this week where the new girls were bullied by the other girls in the class. It was a case of not 'accepting' the new girls.

How did you handle it.

[starlight07]

Sept 22, 2012 11:55:07 GMT -5 @willingsniper said:

Sept 22, 2012 10:12:56 GMT -5 starlight07 said:

Many bullies do tend to be old in age. They think they are in control or are the boss. Bullies don't like changes and new situations.

I had to deal with a bullying incident at school this week where the new girls were bullied by the other girls in the class. It was a case of not 'accepting' the new girls.

How did you handle it.

Even if I do have favourites, I have to act in all fairness, Sniper. So I put forward the bullying incident to the staff working in the office. The girls were called to the headmaster's office straight away. I did hear both sides of the story and then told the school girls to befriend the new girls. Funnily, the girls came out with the story that the new girls were the 'mean girls' and ever since they came in school then things were going bad for them. Being a new staff member I knew nothing much about the class but learnt how nasty the class can be to new children. It was a matter of not accepting.