Bullying refers to repeated, intentional harmful behavior directed at an individual or group with the intent to cause harm, distress or harassment. It can occur in various forms and environments, such as in the workplace, in schools or online. Bullying usually involves an imbalance of power, with the perpetrator(s) using their power to dominate or control the victim.
Bullying at work examples
- Verbal bullying: insults, swearing, threats or insulting remarks aimed at belittling or hurting the person.
- Physical bullying: hitting, pushing, shoving or other physical actions that cause harm or discomfort.
- Social or relational bullying: Excluding someone from social groups, spreading rumors or sabotaging relationships to cause social harm or isolate the individual.
- Cyberbullying: using digital platforms such as social media, text messages or online forums to harass, intimidate or spread harmful content about someone.
- Workplace bullying: In the professional context, this can include behaviors such as undermining someone’s work, spreading rumors about them or giving them unreasonable workloads with the intention of damaging their reputation or well-being.
Bullying can have serious psychological, emotional and physical consequences for the victim, making it important for organizations to actively address and prevent it.
