Should workplace bullying be classed as a public health issue?
This is the question we asked after reading this article from Canadian news outlet The Conversation. In the article, the writer breaks workplace bullying down by two forms of impact, which we shall also do in the following paragraphs.
*Please note that we discuss this as a scenario and not as an argument either for or against such an outcome.
Impact on health
The impact on health could not be clearer – in the short term, bullying can lead to stress, sleep deprivation and anxiety, to name but a few. In the longer term, these could lead to more sustained psychological suffering, such as depression, and physical conditions such as cardiovascular disease.
In extreme cases, bullying causing suicidal thoughts may tragically result in someone taking their own life due to their perceived inability to cope with it any longer. This then affects not only the individual, but family, friends, colleagues and communities.
Impact on business
Not only can one’s health be negatively affected, but also the ability to perform working duties. The feeling of self-worth can be impacted, concentration levels can suffer, and generally working in an environment where people are being unhelpful and unpleasant are not in the best interests of the individual or the organisation.
Even in a small area, the impact of any or all of the above can be huge, and left unchecked, could have a very damaging effect on a business at both micro and wider levels.
Reputations are difficult things to repair, so it is better to maintain a good one and keep workplace politics and bad behaviour in check for everyone’s benefit.
Finally we move onto our opening question:
Should workplace bullying be classed as a public health issue?
Based on the points raised in this article, the answer in this hypothetical case would have to be a “yes”. We know that all workplaces have their share of office politics and other less-than-desirable aspects, but it would be unfair to paint every single business or organisation as bad or indeed poor.
Therefore, putting workplace bullying under greater scrutiny for those places that are struggling – at least on paper – could only be a good thing.
On the other hand is the point that all systems can be abused, and it is therefore down to good management, human resources staff, team leaders and colleagues to ensure that every workplace is as good as it can be for the health, wellbeing and productivity of a workforce.
Choose how it is administered, it must always be enforced by people willing to make things better for all concerned.
We therefore invite you, the reader, to ask yourself the same question: “Should workplace bullying be classed as a public health issue?”
Further reading
Bullying and Harassment at work – Oakwood Solicitors
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Article by Stuart Jones
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