82% of Workers Say They Have Witnessed or Experienced Workplace Bullying

"You can't be against bullying without actually doing something about it." — Randi Weingarten

Bullying leaves a lasting impact, but resilience can turn those scars into inspiration. Lady Gaga was bullied for her appearance and love for music, leading her to create the Born This Way Foundation. Ed Sheeran faced taunts for his red hair, glasses, and stutter, channeling his struggles into music and advocacy for self-acceptance. Their stories remind us that bullying isn't limited to childhood - it also persists in workplaces, creating challenges that demand our attention.

Workplace bullying is more common than we think, yet it often goes unnoticed or unaddressed. It can take many forms - verbal abuse, exclusion, excessive criticism, or even subtle manipulation. The impact extends beyond individuals, affecting team morale, productivity, and overall workplace culture.

A recent HappierMe poll sheds light on just how widespread this issue is. An overwhelming 82% of 3046 respondents reported witnessing or experiencing workplace bullying firsthand. Only 18% said they had not encountered it. These numbers highlight the urgent need for better awareness, policies, and support systems to create a healthier work environment.

How Workplace Bullying Affects Performance and Well-being

Bullying isn’t just emotionally distressing - it has real consequences for both employees and companies. Here’s how it impacts workplaces:

• Increased stress and anxiety: Bullying leads to chronic stress, which can lower concentration, creativity, and motivation. In rare cases it leads to self-harm and suicide.
• Higher absenteeism: Employees who experience bullying are more likely to take time off work due to emotional exhaustion or fear of returning to a toxic environment.
• Reduced productivity: A hostile work environment can hinder collaboration and overall performance, affecting both individual and team success.
• Lower job satisfaction and retention issues: Companies risk losing talented employees when workplace bullying goes unaddressed.

Why Do People Bully Others?

Understanding the reasons behind bullying is crucial to addressing it effectively. The HappierMe app explores seven common reasons why people bully others:

1. Unresolved emotional pain – Some bullies act out of their own suffering, using others as an outlet for their pain. Bullying others brings them a sense of release from their own suffering.
2. Insecurity and need for control – If people are insecure themselves, controlling others can give a false sense of security, but it destroys the relationship, trust and collaboration.
3. Past conditioning – Many people repeat patterns they’ve learned from their upbringing or previous experiences. If they have been bullied in the past, they will go on to bully others.
4. Wanting something from others – Bullying can sometimes stem from manipulation or coercion to get a desired outcome.
5. The thrill of power – Some individuals enjoy dominating others, because power is an aphrodisiac, but this comes at the cost of a healthy workplace culture.
6. Prejudice and bias – Discrimination can fuel bullying behavior, marginalizing certain individuals or groups.?

How to Fight Back Against Workplace Bullying

The first step in addressing bullying is awareness. Organizations must create a culture where employees feel safe speaking up and where bullying behaviors are not tolerated.

Here’s what can help:

• Encouraging open conversations – Creating safe spaces where employees can discuss concerns without fear of retaliation.
• Providing emotional intelligence training – Helping employees develop self-awareness and communication skills.
• Establishing clear policies – Companies should have strict anti-bullying policies and procedures for reporting incidents.
• Supporting employees – Offering resources such as mental health support, coaching, and wellness programs can help those affected.

How HappierMe Can Help

HappierMe provides tools and resources to help individuals and workplaces navigate bullying and emotional challenges. The app focuses on self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and stress management to equip users with strategies to handle difficult situations effectively.

Helping bullies understand the impact of their behaviour

Quite often, people who bully others are not aware of the impact of their words and actions on others, or that it can be classed as bullying. Through online journaling and guided questions, we help people understand the various influences that contribute to their behaviour and reflect on the impact it's having on others.

Helping people who feel bullied

We help people understand the difference between behaviour which can be called bullying, and behavior which is not. We also help people muster up the courage to report it and get help.?

Through guided exercises, meditations, and emotional intelligence training, HappierMe empowers individuals to:

• Build resilience and manage stress.
• Develop self-awareness and healthy emotional responses.
• Improve workplace relationships and communication.
• Create a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Workplace bullying affects more than just the people involved—it shapes a company’s culture. Organizations must take responsibility for fostering a respectful and inclusive work environment. Employees, too, can take steps to recognize and respond to bullying in a way that promotes positive change.

With the right tools, like those provided by HappierMe, we can shift from a culture of silence to one of support, ensuring that every workplace is a place where individuals feel safe, valued, and empowered.?

HappierMe app links

1. Bullying module
2. Mental Health section
3. Awareness Exercises

Other links

1. Website
2. Subscribe to our newsletter
3. Follow HappierMe on social media

If you’d like to get in touch email us: [email protected]