Workplace Bullying Essay

Organizational behavior - ESLSCA 37C

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.
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Employees physical and mental health problems: o High stress; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) o Financial problems due to absence o Reduced self-esteem o Sleep and digestive disturbances o Increased depression/self-blame o Family tension and stress

Kareem S. Al Tobgy

Organizational behavior - ESLSCA 37C
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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:
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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.

List of Alternatives:
1- Formal Approach - Create a zero tolerance anti-bullying policy...