Workplace bullying

doi:10.1136/bmj.326.7393.776

BMJ 2003;326:776-777 ( 12 April )

Editorials

Workplace bullying

The silent epidemic

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Those who can, do; those who can't, bully.

Tim Field

Morbidity patterns from general practice worldwide highlight the high prevalence of mental health problems, the commonestbeing depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Many of thesufferers admit to stress at work, and some of them are casualtiesof workplace bullying, defined as persistent, offensive, abusive,intimidating, malicious, or insulting behaviour; abuse of power;or unfair penal sanctions. These make the recipient feel upset,threatened, humiliated, or vulnerable, undermine their self confidenceand may cause them to suffer stress.¹ Rayner and Hoelt describefive categories of bullying behaviour $---$ threats to professionalstatus, threats to personal standing, isolation, overwork, anddestabilisation.²

A deadly combination of economic rationalism, increasing competition, "downsizing," and the current fashion for tough, dynamic,"macho" management styles have created a culture in which bullyingcan thrive, producing "toxic" workplaces.³ Such workplacesperpetuate dysfunction, fear, shame, and embarrassment, intimidatingthose . . . [Full text of this article]

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This article has been cited by other articles:

Ferrie, J E, Head, J, Shipley, M J, Vahtera, J, Marmot, M G, Kivimaki, M (2006). Injustice at work and incidence of psychiatric morbidity: the Whitehall II study. Occup. Environ. Med. 63: 443-450 [Abstract] [Full text]
Harvey, M. G., Heames, J. T., Richey, R. G., Leonard, N. (2006). Bullying: From the Playground to the Boardroom. Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies 12: 1-11 [Abstract]
Hoosen, I. A., Callaghan, R. (2004). A survey of workplace bullying of psychiatric trainees in the West Midlands. Psychiatr. Bull. 28: 225-227 [Abstract] [Full text]

Rapid Responses:

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Power must be accountable: Andrew J Ashworth
bmj.com, 12 Apr 2003 [Full text]
Workplace bullying: Anonymous Person
bmj.com, 17 Apr 2003 [Full text]
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bmj.com, 17 Apr 2003 [Full text]
Victims can be helped to help themselves: Maggie Delauncey, et al.
bmj.com, 26 Apr 2003 [Full text]
Fundamental role of peer networks in the prevention of bullying and exclusion: Marek H. Dominiczak
bmj.com, 9 Jun 2003 [Full text]