Understanding and combating workplace bullying

Workplace bullying is a pressing issue that affects employees across various industries. According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) Fair Employment Practices Survey (2022), the proportion of employees who were discriminated at work was 8.2% in 2022.  

To stop bullying, understanding the nature of workplace bullying is crucial. It impacts employee well-being, organisational productivity, and morale. Whether you are experiencing bullying or seeking to prevent it, recognising its various forms and impacts is key to addressing this issue.  

To help you learn about this pressing issue and how to address bullying, we created this helpful guide. In this guide, we'll cover:

• What is workplace bullying? 
• Impact of workplace bullying 
• Examples of workplace bullying 
• How to stop workplace bullying 
• What to do if you are bullied at work 
• Conclusion 
• FAQs 

What is workplace bullying? 

The workplace bullying definition is the repeated mistreatment of employees within the workplace. Unlike an isolated incident of conflict, bullying involves a pattern of behaviour. It creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. Some behaviours you might see include verbal bullying, microaggressions, and manipulation. 

Workplace bullying isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. Recognising its variety involves understanding both obvious and subtle behaviours. Management and staff should take steps to identify these types of behaviours. Regular training and awareness programmes can combat a hostile work environment. This can help to promote a culture of respect and prevent bullying. 

Impact of workplace bullying 

Workplace bullying has various impacts, including physical symptoms:  

• Stress: It can lead to chronic stress, activating the body's fight-or-flight response. This ongoing stress can harm physical health and weaken your immune system.  
• Low morale: Constant mistreatment can lower self-esteem and confidence. This can impact your work performance, preventing you from advancing in your job.  
• Fatigue: Workplace bullying causes emotional strain which leaves you feeling mentally exhausted. It disturbs your sleep, causing fatigue which impacts your well-being. Other negative effects include lower productivity and increased absenteeism. 
• Depression or anxiety: Bullying creates a hostile work environment. This not only causes panic attacks but also feelings of isolation. As a result, you may develop clinical depression or anxiety disorders.  

These physical symptoms have a profound impact on the mental health of staff. Bullying targets may experience mental health issues, including increased stress, panic attacks, and depression.  

Here is how persistent bullying can lead to professional burnout over time:  

• Emotional exhaustion: Excessive work demands can cause emotional exhaustion. This is a key aspect of burnout.  
• Lack of control: Bullying creates a feeling of powerlessness and lack of control. You may feel helpless in preventing the bullying, contributing to burnout.  
• Reduced sense of accomplishment: Constant mistreatment can undermine your sense of achievement. This can make you feel like you are not achieving much and cause performance issues. 
• Social isolation: Workplace bullying and harassment can erode confidence. This can lead to a decrease in job satisfaction and productivity.  

Examples of workplace bullying 

Bullying in the workplace takes various forms. Recognising these behaviours is crucial to workplace health. 

Here are some common examples of workplace bullying: 

• Verbal abuse: This includes name-calling and passing snide remarks. These bahaviours can make a person feel small or less important.   
• Gossip and rumours: Spreading false information or rumours about a coworker. This can damage their reputation.  
• Intentional exclusion. Deliberately excluding colleagues from meetings, events, or workplace activities can isolate them.   
• Undermining work. Consistently undermining a coworker's efforts and achievements is another form of bullying.   
• Cyberbullying. This is a form of digital harassment using email, social media, or other online platforms.   
• Threats and intimidation. This includes using tactics, threats, or intimidation to control or manipulate a coworker.   
• Unfair criticism. Providing unjust or harsh feedback without constructive guidance can constitute unfair criticism.   
• Micromanagement: Excessive interference in a colleague's work can lead to undue pressure. This creates a sense of frustration.   
• Sabotage. Sabotage is the deliberate undermining of co workers work to hinder their success.   
• Discrimination: Discrimination is unfair treatment based on race, gender identity, or age.   
• Work overload. Giving a coworker an excessive workload can contribute to poor health and burnout.   
• Public humiliation. This involves criticising or embarrassing a colleague in meetings or public communication.   
• Withholding information. Keeping crucial information from a coworker can hinder their ability to do their job.   
• Constant monitoring. Excessive monitoring of a colleague's work can create a stressful and intrusive environment.   
• Mockery. Mockery involves ridiculing a coworker's ideas, opinions, or contributions during meetings or discussions.   
• Institutional bullying: This includes setting impossible deadlines. This forces people to work overtime. If they cannot meet these goals, workplace bullies target them.  
• Sexual harassment: This is one of the most stressful forms of harassment. Unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favours characterise sexual harassment.  
• No credit for work: This includes undermining employees by demeaning their work standards. They don't acknowledge their efforts, setting them up to fail.  

How to stop workplace bullying 

For a healthy work environment, it's essential to prevent and address bullying. You're part of the equation, whether you're an employee, manager, or leader. Here are some practical steps you can take in addressing bullying in the workplace: 

Employees 

Empower your workplace culture. Promote a safe and inclusive environment by taking proactive steps to stop bullying. Consider the following actions to promote a healthy and respectful atmosphere:  

• Reflect on your actions: Consider your behaviour. The culture in Singapore often revolves around respect. So, make sure you encourage a positive and respectful workplace. 
• Communicate openly: If you witness bullying or are the victim of it, speak to the person involved. Be calm and assertive, focusing on specific abuse behaviours.  
• Document incidents: Record bullying incidents, including dates, times, and descriptions. This can help you provide a clear account if needed. 
• Seek support: Speak to colleagues, friends, or family members for emotional support. They may also offer advice on how to handle the situation.  
• Report to human resources or management: If the issue persists, report as soon as possible. Provide details and any documentation you have. 
• Speak up: Speak up if you witness workplace bullying happening to others. Reporting it can make a difference.  

Managers 

Foster leadership in cultivating a supportive and respectful workplace. You can do this by implementing effective strategies to combat bullying. Here are key actions to guide your efforts in creating a positive work environment: 

• Address concerns promptly: It's important to act immediately when there are complaints. Show your staff that their well-being is a priority. 
• Be an example: Show respectful behaviour in your interactions. This will set high standards for the team.  
• Arrange or attend training: Organise and join in workshops that prevent workplace bullying. 
• Provide clear reporting channels: Ensure there are confidential reporting channels for employees. This can help employees combat bullying without fear of retaliation.  
• Investigate complaints thoroughly: Investigate reported incidents, ensuring the fair treatment of everyone involved. 

Leaders 

As leaders, you play a pivotal role in shaping the organisational culture. You can also foster a climate of respect. Take proactive steps to address and prevent bullying within your team. Some actions you can take include: 

• Review policies: Regularly review established rules. This ensures the anti-bullying policies are comprehensive and up-to-date.  
• Process complaints fairly: Establish a fair and transparent process for handling complaints. Always emphasise a commitment to a safe workplace.  
• Offer training programs: Integrate anti-bullying training into the organisation's onboarding process. This makes it a part of ongoing professional development.  
• Promote a culture of respect: Highlight respect and inclusivity as fundamental organisational values.  
• Hold others accountable: Hold individuals accountable for their actions, irrespective of their position.  
• Support targets: Offer support services to bullied staff. Offer them access to counselling or other resources.  

 What to do if you are bullied at work 

Workplace bullying can be emotionally challenging. But you must take decisive steps to address the issue. Here's what you should do if you experience bullying at work: 

• Respond immediately: Try to remain calm and avoid responding with aggression. 
• Document the incident: Write down a detailed account of the bullying incident. Note the names of any witnesses present during the incident as their statements can be valuable if you decide to escalate the matter. 
• Talk to the bully: Choose the right time and a private and calm setting to express your concerns. Use "I" statements to help you seek resolution and discourage bullying in the future. 
• Contact human resources or management: Prepare documentation to discuss what's happening. Express your concerns and the desire for resolution. 
• Make a formal complaint: If the issue continues, follow your company's formal complaint procedures. This might mean writing a formal letter of complaint about workplace bullying. You can then give it to the management or another assigned authority  
• Seek support: Contact a friend, family member, or colleague for emotional support. Discussing the situation with someone you trust can provide a valuable perspective. 
• Get help from support services: You can contact support services and ask for support. Even if you don't have anyone you can talk to, the services can offer help.  
• Know your rights: Awareness of workplace bullying legislation can empower you. Make sure you have a current copy of your employee handbook. Read and understand your company's policies on bullying and harassment in the workplace.  
• Follow up: Follow up with management to ensure they're addressing the issue appropriately. Document any further incidents. 
• Consider external help: If workplace bullying continues, don't fear. Contact the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) Workplace Harassment Resource and Recourse Centre. They will listen and advise you on possible actions you can take. They can also help you seek recourse by contacting your employer to ask them to conduct an investigation discreetly.   

Conclusion 

Workplace bullying is a prevalent issue that impacts employee mental health and well-being. Its negative effects extend to many employees within the workplace. By working together as employees, managers, and leaders, we can cultivate a culture of respect that embraces the diversity present in Singapore. 

Taking a stand against workplace bullying promotes a healthier work environment. It fosters a sense of trust among colleagues. By advocating for a no bullies workplace culture, you contribute to creating a positive workplace for everyone. 

FAQs 

1. What should I do if I witness workplace bullying? 
   ⁠If you witness workplace bullying, document the incident and file a report with management. Encourage the victim to report the bullying behaviour as well. Be supportive and make sure the appropriate people are aware of the situation. 
2. How can I rebuild my confidence and mental well-being after experiencing workplace bullying? 
   ⁠To rebuild your confidence and mental well-being, seek support. You can seek support from friends, family, or a mental health professional. Set boundaries, practise self-care, and focus on your strengths. A counsellor or therapist can give you advice on how to cope and feel better about yourself. 
3. Can workplace bullying occur in remote or virtual work settings? 
   ⁠Yes, workplace bullying can occur in remote or virtual work settings. It may be in the form of cyberbullying, exclusion, or inappropriate communication. Organisations need to establish clear virtual communication guidelines. Addressing any signs of bullying, even in remote work environments, is essential.