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Workplace Bullying

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Workplace bullying case study

Problem definition:
Workplace bullying, is the tendency of individuals or groups to use persistent aggressive or unreasonable behavior against a co-worker or subordinate.
Workplace bullying can include such tactics as verbal, nonverbal, psychological, physical abuse and humiliation. It can come in different forms and shapes.
• Unwarranted or invalid criticism
• Blame without factual justification
• Being treated differently than the rest of your work group
• Being sworn at
• Exclusion or social isolation
• Being shouted at or being humiliated
• Excessive monitoring or micro-managing
• Being given work unrealistic deadline

Justification for problem definition:
Workplace bullies often operate within the established rules and policies of their organization and their society - Hence they follow the procedure.
Bullying in the workplace is in the majority of cases reported as having been perpetrated by management - the impact is usually critical to both the individuals and the business. * Employees physical and mental health problems: * High stress; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) * Financial problems due to absence * Reduced self-esteem * Sleep and digestive disturbances * Increased depression/self-blame * Family tension and stress

* Impact on Organizations:
Each of the individual consequences listed above can be very costly for the organization.
Costs of bullying generally fall into three categories: * Replacing staff members that leave as a result of being bullied, cost of training new employees. * Work effort being displaced as staff cope with bullying incidents (i.e., effort being directed away from work productivity and towards coping) * Costs associated with investigations of ill treatment and potential legal action.
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