Study Finds Workplace Bullying Widespread

A study by the Workplace Bullying Institute and Zogby Interactive found that nearly half of American employees have suffered or witnessed workplace bullying, including verbal abuse, job sabotage or destruction of workplace relationships. The survey of nearly 8,000 people found:

• 37% of workers (about 54 million people) have been bullied at work;
• 49% of workers said they suffered or witnessed workplace bullying, including verbal abuse, job sabotage or destruction of workplace relationships;
• Bullying is 4 times more prevalent than illegal forms of "harassment
• 72% of bullies are bosses;
• Women are targeted by bullies more frequently (in 57% of cases), especially by other women (in 71% of cases);
• Only 3% of bullied targets file lawsuits and 40% never complain; and
• Verbal abuse and behavior/action are the most common forms of bullying (53% each) (Reuters; U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey 2007.)

The fact that only a few bullied workers file suit means that most are forced to find an informal resolution. Sadly, most do not have access to an ombuds.