This lesson distinguishes bullying from harassment and other harmful behaviors, focusing on patterns, power dynamics, and impact on the workplace.
This lesson distinguishes bullying from harassment and other harmful behaviors, focusing on patterns, power dynamics, and impact on the workplace.
What is Workplace Bullying
Bullying refers to repeated, intentional aggressive behavior that harms a person or undermines their work. It can occur regardless of protected characteristics and is often driven by power dynamics.
Bullying typically shows a pattern of acts such as intimidation, humiliation, manipulation, social exclusion, or undermining a person in front of others. It can occur between peers, by a supervisor, or by a contractor or vendor.
Intent and impact matter. While the behavior may not target a protected class, repeated harm creates a hostile environment and affects performance and well being.
Warning signs include frequent negative feedback that feels personal, social isolation, and deliberate attempts to undermine credibility or status.