Only a lucky few feel happy in their jobs, but it is more common to associate work with negative emotions such as frustration, hopelessness or laziness. In the worst cases, work can lead to depression if you are experiencing workplace bullying. We tell you everything about mobbing at work.
What is workplace bullying
Sometimes we do not know how to differentiate very well the line that separates a bad environment at work with colleagues or with the boss from what is true workplace bullying. But if we stop to observe its consequences, it is best that we learn to identify it as soon as possible.
The most common definition of workplace bullying is “a series of abusive behaviors and conducts aimed at psychologically degrading a worker, undermining their self-esteem and morale through harassment and a situation of continued psychological violence.”
Seen this way, it seems easy to detect when a mobbing situation is taking place, but the problem comes when presenting the evidence, which is generally not available.
Types of mobbing
There are many ways to do mobbing, which is how workplace bullying is generally known, but there are only two types.
Vertical harassment comes from the boss, hierarchical superiors or company management. The reasons can be varied, it can be a personal enmity or a business objective so that the worker who is suffering from mobbing presents the voluntary leave.
Horizontal bullying comes from the peers themselves and occurs at the same hierarchical level. In this case, the reason is usually personal, but also due to misunderstood competitiveness or even for reasons such as envy, discrimination or racial or gender prejudice.
How to know if I suffer from mobbing?
Mobbing or workplace harassment can take many different forms and it all depends on the work context in which it occurs, but there are some common behaviors that can indicate a certain danger.
- You find it impossible to get in touch with your superiors to discuss important issues.
- They separate you from the rest of the classmates in an isolation that can be more or less evident.
- The colleagues themselves make a group and belittle you or make fun of you.
- Colleagues hide important information from you for the development of your work so that you are less productive.
- Your superiors overload you with work.
- Or quite the opposite. They reduce your functions, despising your professional category.
- Everything you do is criticized in an unconstructive way or questioned.
- In your work environment, your personal life is the subject of comments and criticism.
- In the most serious cases you can suffer threats, insults or humiliation.
Consequences of workplace bullying
Sometimes the work environment is subject to enormous pressure and the worker can suffer burnout syndrome or be burned. But workplace bullying is different. Stress appears early and lowers performance, so you can find some meaning in criticism.
Another of the consequences of mobbing is anxiety, which makes you doubt everything, even yourself. Insomnia, lack of motivation and irritation invade all areas of your life. But the greatest danger is, without a doubt, that of suffering from depression. So pay attention to the signs of mobbing and try to collect evidence that you can present.