Bullying Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Bullying - Essay Example Although the UK does not have legal definitions of bullying under their current law, some states in the US have laws that address it, and categorize it into three fundamental types. They are physical, verbal and emotional. According to the US legal system, bullying cultures develop in all contexts where human beings interact ranging from the workplace, family, school to social gatherings. Bullies are inclined towards negativity, and workplace bullies are likely to have been poor academic performers in school. They feel negatively toward themselves and have difficulties solving problems with others. Most of them come from backgrounds characterized by poor parenting and conflict within the family. At the workplace, bullying can take place in the simple one on one form or the more complex type where the key bully has accomplices willing to frustrate co-workers. This paper will discuss the health, legal and social consequences employees and their organizations may face in the event that bullying takes place in the workplace. A workplace’s culture is reflected in its beliefs and values, and what the management accepts as normal behavior. Positive and ethical cultures promote the adoption of appropriate behavior and mutual respect among co-workers. On the other hand, when the management condones inappropriate attitudes and behaviors, majority of the employees will assume bullying to be a normal trend (Haight, 2005). A survey established that bullying at the workplace is driven by varying factors and, ironically, 57 percent of co-workers in the US have a tendency of being hostile and unsupportive to the already bullied colleague. An individual may use his position of authority or physical dominance to harass those he perceives as weaker. Based purely on their perception of weakness, they frustrate the efforts of their colleagues, who in turn end up performing dismally. To deal with their own inadequacies, low self esteem and personal grudges, bullies usually pu t down others by sabotaging their reputation or projects they are working on. This not only demoralizes the victim, but harms the company’s schedules by unnecessary delays and incurring expenses. One may also fall victim to others who view them as threats to their position or employment as a whole. In such cases, the bully spends so much time on efforts to tarnish the achievements of their perceived enemy at the expense of productive company work, hence, wasting innovation. Many workplace bullying victims suffer post traumatic stress disorder. This is so because they have found a passion and self-identity in their work, yet a bully is using the same work to pull them down. When prolonged, it causes panic attacks, loss of concentration, depression, insecurity and stress breakdown. The victims are prone to become overly sensitive, hyper vigilant and irritable with mood swings. In the end, they rely on alcohol, nicotine or caffeine to calm down. A study conducted by a doctor in the UK revealed that 20 percent of co-workers who witnessed a colleague being bullied or suffer the consequences of bullying were also affected and opted to change jobs (Einarsen et al, 2003). 98 percent of those who stayed on were distressed. The overall effect observed on such workers was lack of productivity. They caused more accidents, were often absent, handled customers poorly, exhibited no motivation and forced the company to