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Over half of women are bullied at work in the U.S., according to a recent report by High Rise Financial.
Fifty-one percent of women say they’re bullied on the job compared to 46.5% of men, the data showed, with 71% of workplace bullies being male. Overall, 52.2 million workers, or 32.3% of the workforce, directly experience bullying at work.
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“The impact of workplace bullying extends beyond individual employees, undermining morale, productivity, and overall organizational culture,” High Rise Financial said. “As mental health and employee wellbeing take center stage, addressing bullying is a moral obligation and also a strategic imperative for cultivating inclusive, high-performing workplaces.”
Other key takeaways…
- Bullies are often in positions of authority, with 61% being bosses or supervisors.
- Nineteen percent of workers have witnessed bullying in the workplace.
- Sixty-five percent of bullying targets lose their jobs either by being forced out or quitting due to the toxic environment.
- Twenty-nine percent of targets report the bullying to their employers.
- Sixty percent of cases result in no action against the bully.
According to High Rise Financial, the industries most affected by workplace bullying are retail, healthcare, hospitality, education and technology/IT.
At the same time, African Americans report the highest bullying rate at 44.3%, Hispanics follow at 33.5%, White individuals at 30.1% and Asian individuals at 25.9%.
The most common consequences of bullying at the workplace include:
- Physical effects: Victims of bullying often experience various physical symptoms, including chronic headaches, heightened cardiovascular risks, and sleep disturbances. These issues can lead to increased absenteeism, as affected employees may require time off to manage their health concerns.
- Mental effects: The psychological toll of workplace bullying can be profound, manifesting as depression, anxiety, and chronic stress. In severe cases, individuals may develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), impacting their ability to function effectively in the workplace.
- Productivity impact: The repercussions of bullying extend to workplace dynamics, resulting in decreased morale among employees. This can lead to increased turnover rates as individuals seek healthier work environments. Also, the overall efficiency of the team may decline as bullying fosters an atmosphere of fear and disengagement.
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Joe Toppe
Joe Toppe serves as managing editor of PropertyCasualty360.com. Joe is also a father of three, an author, and longtime lover of baseball.
