From Silence to Empowerment: Breaking the Chains of Workplace Bullying #toxicworkplace
Monica Brown
Media Maven | Social Impact Catalyst | Transformational Leadership Coach & Speaker | Guiding & Empowering Leaders
They say high school never ends. When it comes to bullying, that may be true.
Harassment, bullying, and mobbing or group bullying in the workplace is still considered a taboo subject for both the organisation and its employees.
Workplace bullying is a pervasive issue that transcends borders, and South Africa is no exception.
The past few weeks I was really saddened by some posts and articles that was related to workplace bullying, toxic workplace cultures, suicides, etc. The list is endless and very disturbing.
As a survivor of workplace bullying myself, it really hit a nerve.
So today I will just also share with you the close relationship that gender based violence and workplace bullying has. Sometimes when you really look at something from a different angle, you really thank your lucky stars that you survived that ordeal.
We also will be sharing what we will be getting up to for the next few weeks as we delve deeper into The Power of Silence: Understanding the Impact of Workplace Bullying.
We passed the point of talking about what it is , we now in survival mode, so we want to break the silence.
A call to Action for 2024 is to break the silence on workplace bullying. Either by blowing the whistle on companies where it is happening or to support a colleague , a friend , a partner that is going through it.
Just share our articles with them and through that you will also build and empower them.
Fostering a safe and mentally healthy workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the success and sustainability of an organisation. It contributes to a positive organisational culture, enhances employee engagement, and positions the company as an employer of choice in a competitive talent market.
Ensuring a safe and mentally healthy workplace is not just a moral imperative but often a legal requirement.
As I always refer to workplace bullying as a form of gender based violence, I just also want to point out the close relationship the two have with each other.
GBV is a world of work issue. The term Gender Based Violence (GBV) covers many different forms of violence, ranging from bullying and psychological abuse to rape and sexual assault.
The relationship between gender-based violence (GBV) and workplace bullying is complex, as both phenomena involve the abuse of power and can manifest in various forms. While they are distinct issues, they often intersect, and the dynamics within one context can influence the other. Here are some key aspects of their relationship:
Power Dynamics and Control
Both gender-based violence and workplace bullying involve power imbalances and the exertion of control. In cases of GBV, the power dynamic is often rooted in gender inequality, where one party seeks to assert dominance over another based on gender. In workplace bullying, power imbalances may arise from hierarchical structures or personal dynamics, leading to the abuse of power.
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Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Sexual harassment is a form of gender-based violence that can also manifest in the workplace. Unwanted advances, comments, or behaviors of a sexual nature may contribute to a hostile work environment, blurring the lines between gender-based violence and workplace bullying.
Impact on Mental Health
Both gender-based violence and workplace bullying can have severe mental health consequences for victims. The constant fear, stress, and anxiety associated with these experiences can lead to long-term emotional trauma and negatively affect the victim's well-being.
Normalisation and Stigmatisation
In some cases, both gender-based violence and workplace bullying may be normalised or downplayed, creating environments where victims may be hesitant to come forward due to fear of stigmatisation or retaliation. Breaking the silence is a common challenge in addressing both issues.
Organisational Culture and Policies
The culture of an organisation can either contribute to or deter gender-based violence and workplace bullying. A culture that condones or ignores such behaviours may foster an environment where both issues thrive. Conversely, organisations with strong anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies are more likely to address and prevent both forms of abuse.
Intersectionality
The intersectionality of identities, including gender, race, and socio-economic status, can play a role in both gender-based violence and workplace bullying. Individuals may experience compounded forms of discrimination and violence based on multiple aspects of their identity.
Perpetrator Behaviours
Perpetrators of gender-based violence and workplace bullying often exhibit similar behaviours, such as manipulation, intimidation, and coercion. Understanding these commonalities can help in developing strategies to address and prevent both issues.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies
Organisations that address gender-based violence often implement prevention and intervention strategies that can be adapted to tackle workplace bullying. This includes fostering a culture of respect, providing training on recognising and addressing abusive behaviours, and ensuring mechanisms for reporting and support.
In summary, the relationship between gender-based violence and workplace bullying lies in the shared elements of power dynamics, control, and the impact on individuals' well-being. Addressing both issues requires a comprehensive approach that considers the unique aspects of each while recognising their interconnected nature. Organisational policies and societal initiatives aimed at preventing and addressing gender-based violence can contribute to creating workplaces that are safer and more respectful for everyone.
Our series of articles that will follow is under the theme: "The Power of Silence: Understanding the Impact of Workplace Bullying" We will be exploring the reasons why many individuals remain silent about workplace bullying. We will also be discussing the psychological and emotional toll of silence, shedding light on the challenges faced by victims.
Each and every article that we will share with you contributes to the overarching theme of breaking the silence and empowering individuals in the face of workplace bullying.
We looking forward interacting with you.
NABFAM Certified Mediator; Mining Consultant | TNA Inc
1 年A brilliant initiative Monica Brown. I have experienced workplace bullying in the corporate world, at the hands of male colleagues. Gender based bullying is prevalent in the corporate world. Competition for advancement is stiff and the easiest way to get ahead is by stepping on your colleagues. It's easier for males to bully female colleagues and subordinates because the system still protects men through the tried and tested practice of gaslighting. Inversely, I have also experienced bullying at the hands if female colleagues. We can't overlook the fact that sometime perpetrators are women. In my experience, even though I am self-employed, female colleagues have used gaslighting and manipulation to bully me.
Policy Analyst & Author
1 年However, if perception distortion has not reached a level of known disease we subject that person to social solutions- such as counseling, educating, mentoring, or punishing- in as much as these approaches are legally embraced worldwide- but I think we also need to pause and ask ourselves these scientific developments that are improving our technologies- why are they not improving our behavior- if there is anything the behavior is becoming worse. The characterization of such behaviors as sick- is simply taken as a mere expression rather than a true scientific reality that needs a resource for research and innovation in these aspects. Today, if I can say we are not going to free ourselves from the barbaric elements of the past as long as we still hold significant elements of our so-called traditions and cultures- and fully embrace knowledge growth and knowledge progression - we remain the agents of primitive ways living for the majority- while the few that are on top of the economic pyramid are the biggest beneficiaries from these unfortunate norms.
Policy Analyst & Author
1 年I do note this culture is a global phenomenon- commonly covered in showbiz as far as Hollywood. It is salvaging our country. Making it difficult to reverse the imbalances of our country's past - which was discrimination based on race, gender, age, ability, and class. I was even tempted to believe this notion is sponsored by those who were beneficiaries of such skewed structural systems. On second thought I considered the history and evolution of civilization. That was established on the foundation of the feudal system that perpetuated a culture of peasants and patriarchy. An era where democracy was labeled as anarchic. An era where science was atheistic. Fast-forward, we still find ourselves in a society that resists its progression and improvement to elements that foster equity and equality. More so, a society that resists addressing the science and its genetic contribution contribution on broader social issues. Take for example epilepsy- we acknowledge that an individual with epilepsy may experience altered perceptions, including visual or auditory hallucinations, during seizures. And we accept this person needs a medical intervention.