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Whether it is belittling comments, persistent criticism or withholding
resources, bullying at work is more harmful than sexual harassment, according to
new Canadian research.
It is more difficult for employees to cope with bullying because they have
nowhere to turn and no workplace policies or legislation to protect them
compared to victims of sexual harassment. Their overall well-being is worse,
they are more stressed, angry, anxious, less committed and more likely to
quit.
"Bullying can be done in such an insidious way that unless you're the victim,
other people don't even know its happening," Sandy Hershcovis, of the University
of Manitoba in Winnipeg, said in an interview.
"Its really hard to get other people to understand or to try to report
it."
Herschcovis and Julian Barling, of Ontario's Queens University, reviewed 110
studies conducted over 21 years that compared outcomes of workers dealing with
sexual harassment and workplace aggression. They presented the findings at a
conference co-hosted by the American Psychological Association.
They studied the effects of workplace bullying and sexual harassment and also
examined work stress and physical, psychological and emotional
well-being.
"In all cases both sexual harassment and workplace aggression had
relationships with these outcomes but workplace aggression or bullying had the
stronger effect over sexual harassment," Hershcovis said.
The study defined workplace aggression as incivility, including rudeness and
discourteous verbal and non-verbal behavior. Bullying behaviors included
yelling, repeatedly reminding employees of mistakes, spreading gossip and lies,
ignoring or excluding workers and insulting a person's habits, attitudes or
private life
Interpersonal conflict included hostile behavior, verbal aggression and angry
exchanges.
Hershcovis said while there are still challenges for victims of sexual
harassment, they do have recourse. They can report the abuse, go to their union
or take legal action.
"Workplace bullying . . . doesn't have any policy attention, there's no legal
recourse you can take, so really you're stuck and there's no coping mechanisms
that you can try to use to overcome the situation," he explained.
Hershcovis said governments should follow those in Quebec, Canada and in
Scandinavian countries and create workplace aggression legislation. She said
training co-workers to recognize and "put their foot down" against bullying as
they do in schools is likely to be more effective than company policies.
Full Story: Reuters India
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