Workplace Bullying (WPB)

Bullying can present itself in many forms, to anyone, in any line of work

WPB is occurring when one party feels that the other is using aggressive behavior, intentionally, for a period of regular intervals. The target feels helpless, without resources, and is therefore less able to cope with the mistreatment and actual or perceived imbalance of power.

Common Bullying Behavior

Shouting

Constant monitoring or micromanaging

Causing a person to feel ashamed or belittled

Excluding individuals from daily conversations

Harsh criticism

Threatening tactics

Physical abuse

Complaining about one employee to another

Examples of

Bullying

Behaviors

Intimidation Intense

Pressure

Victimization Emotional

Abuse

Between co-workers…

”When I come back in the morning to pick up this patient assignment, I want to see everything perfectly completed. If I find something out of line, like one medication given a minute late, I’m reporting you. That will not look good on your evaluation coming up, will it?”

Abuse of power…The director of the safety department decides to threaten her employees with sudden ‘schedule conflicts.’

“If someone doesn’t find an employee to work the weekend shift, you just might not be getting that vacation day you had planned.”

Intense Pressure

Intimidation

Cafeteria workers…

“I don’t like this new guy

they hired last week. He’s

always trying to get the

manager’s attention by

doing everything by the

book. I’m not talking to

him. If we just ignore him,

hopefully he’ll quit by

next month.”

Verbal badgering…

“Clyde, you’re such

an idiot. The trash

cans need to have

two bags. You’re

always doing stupid

things.”

Victimization

Emotional abuse

Impact on Targets of WBP

Health risks

Job dissatisfaction

Unsatisfactory social relationships

Increased intent to resign

Poor team work

Poor work outcomes

Negative impact upon clients (patients/families)

Mental health impact

Poor self-esteem

Communicate respectfully

Listen.

Find common ground.

Do the right thing.

Workplace gossip

Judgmental attitudes

Hostility towards one another

How to Respond

Identify the situation early

-Do not take it personally. Remain calm. Do not retaliate.

End the aggressor’s behavior by speaking to them directly, telling him/her/them to stop.

-Most bullies will feel ashamed and may eventually become embarrassed and will end their attacks.

If it continues, get assistance

-Resources include your co-workers, family, direct manager (follow chain-of-command), Human Resources, Office of Ethics, Compliance and Audit Services

UPMC Center for

Inclusion

‘Built on a foundation of

dignity and respect in the

workplace and cultural

competency in patient

and family care, the

mission of the UPMC

Center for Inclusion is to

ensure that inclusion is at

the core of what we do

every day’

Dignity + Respect = Inclusion

“Making the world a better place for all to live – with all our differences”

Inclusion means every person is valued and appreciated

Dig

nity

& R

es

pe

ct T

ips

Healthy

Workplace

Healthy Work Environment

Know Your Resources

Promote Dignity & Respect

Identify & Deal with Bullying

Behaviors

References

Ariza-Montes A, Muniz NM, Montero-Simó MJ, Araque-Padilla RA.

Workplace bullying among healthcare workers.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2013; 10(8):3121-3139.

Macintosh J, Wuest J, Gray MM, Cronkhite M. Workplace bullying

in health care affects the meaning of work. Qualitative Health Research. 2010; 20(8): 1128-1141.

UPMC Center For Inclusion