Mobbing: what to do if you get survived from work

What is mobbing

Mobbing is a form of regular psychological pressure on a person in a professional team. In fact, this is bullying that happens at work, not at school.

Initially, the term appeared in biology, where the collective defensive behavior of animals began to be called mobbing. For example, when several birds flock to ward off a predator.

In relation to people, this word was first used by the Swedish psychologist Hants Leiman. This is how a specialist described a situation when one or several people in a team are systematically hostile to another colleague. It is usually difficult for the victim to protect himself, either because of his personal qualities, or because of a lower position in the hierarchy of the company, or because of the lack of opportunities to influence the situation.

Bullying can come not only from colleagues about the same level as the victim, but also from higher-level employees. For example, it can be a boss who constantly humiliates a subordinate. About half of the cases of mobbing are associated with the behavior of the leader.

Who falls victim to mobbing

There is no single statistic on how many people are being bullied in the workplace. Calculations give very different figures: from 6, 8% to 46, 4%, 15%, 30%, 39, 1% of all workers.

However, there are certain groups that are more likely to be mobbed than others. For example, new employees. Bullying can be either a kind of "initiation" into the team, or the result of banal hostility and envy. Also, bullying can be caused by racial and other prejudices. In this case, representatives of minorities suffer the most. Finally, women are more likely to be mobbed than men. Moreover, the former tend to be attacked by colleagues of both the opposite and their own sex.

The industry and the very specifics of the workplace also affect the prevalence of the phenomenon. For example, mobbing is more common in companies from developing countries because the corporate culture in such firms is still rather authoritarian.

Why mobbing appears

The reasons may vary.

Due to the nature of the abuser

It is known that those who bully classmates in school often do the same in adulthood. A tendency towards deviant behavior, such as lack of empathy or abusive behavior, also largely determines the emergence of mobbing.

Out of jealousy and fear of losing your place

Often, opponents simply envy the victim and feel a threat to their position from him. The arrival of a younger, more successful, educated, skilled or independent competitor raises the fear of losing their job. The abuser hopes that the victim will quit his job due to psychological pressure, and the threat will disappear by itself.

Due to a desire for power or a desire to shift your responsibilities

Mobbing can also be caused by the intention to subordinate another employee. Offenders will assert themselves and fulfill their lust for power. For example, forcing the victim to perform other people's tasks.

Due to the incompetence of the leader

The boss may resort to mobbing because of a peculiar management style, a desire to compensate for his own complexes, or simply incompetence. At the same time, groups within the team can adjoin the leader and thus increase the pressure on the victim.

Due to working conditions

For example, because of the internal tension in the team, which is caused by the obvious inequality of its members, the connivance of the bosses, the futility of work and low wages. In such conditions, the slightest excuse is enough for employees to start harassing some of their colleagues.

The appearance of mobbing can be influenced by such non-obvious features of the workplace as noise, a large number of people, excessive heat or cold in the room.

How mobbing can manifest itself

Here is 1.

5. its most common types:

constant unfounded criticism;
depreciation of the professional qualifications and personal contribution of the employee;
boycott;
hiding necessary business information or deceiving when discussing business issues;
slander and false denunciations;
mockery and offensive jokes;
threats;
theft and damage to personal belongings;
sexual harassment and even direct physical abuse.

Attacks can occur both in front of everyone and in secret. For example, defamatory and offensive information can be transmitted through social networks and instant messengers.

What does not apply to mobbing

Common conflicts that are supported by both sides. For example, mutual reproaches between colleagues due to hostility to each other. Or quarrels over the fact that someone does not put the kettle in place. In general, all domestic and work disputes are without purpose to persecute and humiliate someone.

Also, constructive criticism, planned distribution of duties, positions and salaries, fines and penalties for violation of disciplinary norms are not considered mobbing.

Why is mobbing dangerous?

Bullying is a powerful stressor that negatively affects both mental and physical health.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in victims. The negative effects of bullying in the workplace can show up in a person even after it has stopped. Therefore, bullying increases the likelihood of psychological problems in the future by 68%. Moreover, mobbing is stressful for those who witness it.

In terms of physical health, mobbing can lead to poor sleep and somatic pain. Bullying also increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Mobbing is also harmful for employers. For example, bullying increases absenteeism, increases employee turnover and the risk of incidents, and decreases profits. Ignoring or supporting mobbing on the part of the bosses in general can lead to the disintegration of the work collective.

What to do if you get bullied at work

Here's how to protect yourself.

Try to calm down and not take the misbehavior of your colleagues personally

Most likely, the criticism is unfounded and has nothing to do with your abilities. It reflects the critics' own weaknesses. This is how ill-wishers try to intimidate and control you. Therefore, try to remain calm and not succumb to provocations. Do not try to prove anything to the offenders: they should explain their behavior.

Try to talk to those who offend you

If possible, try to discuss what is happening with the perpetrator. Perhaps he himself does not understand that his behavior is hurting you. Think about what you say in advance. Give your version of what's going on and explain why you don't like it. Be calm and polite. Warn you not to sit back while being bullied. This often scares off spiteful critics.

Record all the facts of bullying

Try to record the facts of insults on a dictaphone or video, take screenshots of defamatory posts or messages. This will help prove that you are being bullied. It is not necessary to go to court with the materials - you can use them as an argument to push the offender against the wall and make him stop bullying.

Tell us about your problem

Feel free to say that you are being insulted. Report mobbing to a manager or someone who oversees work discipline, such as a union or HR representative. Perhaps this will help solve the problem in an informal way. Or at least they will give you advice on what to do next.

See a psychotherapist

Do not hesitate to contact a therapist if your mental health has already been harmed. There is no shame in this. Plus, a good professional can really help you.

File a formal complaint

If it didn't work out to reason with the offender in an informal way, go to administrative measures. Write a formal complaint to your manager or OSH.

If that doesn't work, go to court. Just consult a lawyer first, because it will be extremely difficult to prove the fact of attacks. Therefore, recordings of conversations with offenders, fragments of correspondence may be useful to you. Thus, it may be possible to attract the offender for insults or defamation.