Essay Sample on Workplace Bullying: A Growing Epidemic in the US

Introduction

Workplace bullying has, in the last decade, been an epidemic in the United States, with studies showing that it affects approximately 75% of workers involved in the surveys (Fisher-Blando 96). In 2017 alone, Agarwal report that it affected nearly 60% of the United States employees (1). He also describes workplace bullying as misuse of power, a malicious, intimidating, or offensive behavior that injure, humiliate, and undermine the individual being bullied (1). There is, however, a significant difference between a boss who is a bully and a demanding boss. A bully boss is verbally abusive, intimidates employees, intrudes on their privacy, and undermines their work (Gordon and Forman). A demanding boss, on the other hand, formulates extremely high expectations and standards on work's goals and deliverables that may be unsustainable or unrealistic (Smith 1). Besides, workplace bullying has invisible expenses in terms of employee productivity. Therefore, when employees are bullied, their psychological states are significantly affected through clinical anxiety and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, and they tend not to focus on their work, which reduces their productivity.

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Effects of Workplace Bullying on Employee Productivity

Victims of workplace bullying who have persistently been victimized by bully bosses stand a high chance of being diagnosed with clinical anxiety (Kathy). It may develop simple habits such as frequent social uneasiness, decreased focus, short attention span, lack of energy, and sudden nervousness that may negatively impact their productivity. Although clinical anxiety may not appear as severe as it seems, there are some instances an employee is diagnosed with it, but with no symptoms linked to it (Kathy). Therefore, where this occurs, in the long-run, their productivity may decrease more rapidly than anticipated.

Besides, when employees experience workplace bullying for long, they may develop complex post-traumatic stress disorder abbreviated as PTSD (Kathy). PTSD happens after a traumatizing occurrence such as harassment, assault, accidents, bullying, or any related occurrence. As employees continuously undergo recurrent traumatic experiences, PTSD symptoms are likely to occur. Such symptoms may not only lead to the development of mental illness but also cause extreme psychological harm. According to a study carried by Maidaniuc-Chirila and Michelle, approximately 3.3% of the working population experience workplace bullying (38). When bullied employees develop PTSD, they drop their senses and tend to submit more to the bully bosses. This ultimately results in a decreased rate of productivity initiated by frequent self-isolation and self-doubt, furthermore leading to assigned jobs being undone.

Communications Tools to Stop Bullying

One of the most significant communication tools that can help avert bullying in the workplace is discussion forums. They disseminate the organization's internal knowledge and bring employees together (Elcom 1). They also inspire employees and management to deliberate any topic openly. Therefore, in cases where employees have faced bullies from their bosses, such as physical abuse and psychological harassment, they can communicate such issues to other employees and the management through discussion forums. Besides, awareness of the existence of workplace bully in an organization may deter bully bosses from bullying the employees. The management can also punish such bosses, for instance, by demotion or firing them to serve as an example to other employees likely to bully others, thus, helping stop bullying due to fear of facing similar consequences.

Tracking and case software is a modern communication tool that can also be utilized to stop workplace bullying (Elcom 1). It is an online help desk that has a case tracking system that allows workers to communicate a case. This ensures that the case is assigned to the appropriate personnel in an organization to ensure its examined and corrected in time (Elcom 1). It can be used by victims to submit bully cases, which are, in turn, directed to the appropriate department in their workplace. The system additionally helps them follow the submitted cases, and this may deter bully bosses from bullying employees. Therefore, with its presence, bully bosses are aware workers have communication tools to report bully cases to relevant individuals who can, in turn, take lethal punishment on them.

Conclusion

Workplace bullying has a significant negative impact on employee productivity. When they are workers are bullied, their psychological aspect is affected due to the development of clinical anxiety and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which in turn decreases their productivity. Discussion forums and tracking and case software are essential communication tools that organizations can utilize to avoid workplace bullying and improve employee productivity.

Works Cited

Agarwal, Pragya. Here Is Why We Need to Talk About Bullying in The Work Place. 2018, https://www.forbes.com/sites/pragyaagarwaleurope/2018/07/29/workplace-bullying-here-is-why-we-need-to-talk-about-bullying-in-the-work-place/#2f3886443259. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.

Elcom. Communication Tools used in Modern Day Business. 2019, https://axerosolutions.com/blogs/timeisenhauer/pulse/283/11-foolproof-business-communication-tools-every-company-should-be-using. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.

Fisher-Blando, Judith Lynn. Workplace bullying: Aggressive behavior and its effect on job satisfaction and productivity. University of Phoenix, 2008. Retrieved from http://www.workplaceviolence911.com/docs/20081215.pdf

Gordon, Sherri, and Forman, Joel. 8 Signs Your Boss is a Bully. 2019, https://www.verywellfamily.com/signs-your-boss-is-a-bully-460785. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.

Kathy. Workplace Bullying and Its Effect On Productivity. 2019, https://www.opensourcedworkplace.com/news/workplace-bullying-and-its-effect-on-productivity. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.

Maidaniuc-Chirila, T. E. O. D. O. R. A., and Michelle K. Duffy. "The Role of Workplace Bullying in Employees Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders." Romanian Journal of Experimental Applied Psychology 8 (2017).

Smith, Jacquelyn. 10 Tips for Dealing with an Overly Demanding Boss. 2013, https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/07/10/10-tips-for-dealing-with-an-overly-demanding-boss/#22dbe72864bc. Accessed 31 Jan 2020.