The Hidden Cost of Workplace Bullying: How It Fuels Stress and Employee Turnover: A study by Bentley et al., 2021

A study by Bentley et al. (2021) found that workplace bullying is a major psychosocial hazard that leads to psychological distress and higher turnover intentions. The study highlights the role of psychosocial safety climate (PSC) in mitigating workplace bullying and its negative effects on employees.

Workplace bullying is a persistent pattern of mistreatment, where employees experience verbal abuse, exclusion, intimidation, or excessive criticism. Unlike isolated conflicts, bullying is systematic and long-term, eroding the victim’s well-being and productivity.

1. Types of workplace bullying:

2. Person-related bullying: Spreading rumors, social exclusion, personal attacks.

3. Work-related bullying: Withholding information, excessive workload, unfair criticism.

4. Intimidation: Threats, yelling, or aggressive body language.

The Main Concerns Identified

1. Workplace bullying significantly increases stress and turnover intentions.

2. Victims experience mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.

3. A toxic work environment can lead to decreased job satisfaction, reduced productivity, and higher absenteeism.

4. Psychosocial safety climate (PSC), which represents an organization’s commitment to employees' psychological well-being, is a key factor in reducing bullying.

5. Inclusion climate helps buffer the negative effects of workplace bullying, reducing employees' desire to quit.

Proposed Solutions

The study suggests several strategies to combat workplace bullying and foster a healthier work environment:

1. Strengthening psychosocial safety climate (PSC) by prioritizing employee mental health and creating anti-bullying policies.

2. Training managers and employees to recognize and address bullying behaviors.

3. Encouraging open communication and reporting mechanisms to hold perpetrators accountable.

4. Building an inclusive work culture where employees feel valued and respected, which reduces the likelihood of bullying and its impact.

5. Implementing clear disciplinary actions against workplace bullies to deter future incidents.

By fostering a positive work environment with strong psychosocial support, organizations can significantly reduce employee distress, improve retention, and boost overall productivity.

Reference

Bentley, T. A., Teo, S. T. T., Nguyen, D. T. N., Blackwood, K., Catley, B., Gardner, D., Forsyth, D., Bone, K., Tappin, D., D’Souza, N., & Port, Z. (2021). Psychosocial influences on psychological distress and turnover intentions in the workplace. Safety Science, 137, 105200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2021.105200