Workplace bullying is a serious issue that deserves special attention. The effects on the physical and mental health of victims can be disastrous. That’s why it’s essential to recognize the warning signs of bullying, so you can take action and stop this toxic situation. In this article, we provide an overview of the alarming signs not to ignore.
The emotional and behavioral signs
Some emotional reactions or changes in behavior in the victim can indicate the existence of a situation of moral harassment. Here are some examples:
- Anxiety: The person who is a victim of harassment may display symptoms of anxiety such as panic attacks, sleep disorders, or even heart palpitations.
- Sadness : A depressive state, accompanied by frequent crying and loss of interest in usual activities, can also be a warning signal.
- Irritability: If your colleague or subordinate suddenly becomes irritable and reacts disproportionately to stressful situations, this could indicate a problem.
- Loss of self-confidence: A decrease in self-esteem and a tendency to devalue oneself are signs that should not be neglected.
- Isolation: The victim may also cut themselves off from colleagues, decline invitations or shows of affection and friendship.
The professional signs
Moral harassment at work can also be manifested by certain signs at a professional level:
- Performance decline: Daily stress and anxiety caused by harassment can lead the victim to make more mistakes.
- Absenteeism: Physical and mental health problems related to harassment can lead to chronic absenteeism.
- Overcommitment: Some employees may seek to protect themselves by taking refuge in their work, even if it means giving it excessive importance.
- Destabilization: The person perpetrating the harassment usually seeks to destabilize their victim by questioning their skills, discrediting their work, and launching incessant criticisms.
- Unjustified reassignments and job changes: Being constantly reassigned or changing jobs without a valid reason could be an indication of a desire to harm on the part of a superior.
The attitude of the harassment perpetrator
On the side of the harasser, some behaviors should also draw your attention:
- Systematically Ignores: The person responsible for harassment can systematically ignore the victim, not greet them or not respond to their requests.
- Disparaging remarks and public humiliations: Publicly humiliating remarks aim to destabilize the victim and erode their self-esteem.
- Persistent devaluation: A superior who constantly criticizes a subordinate’s work without valid reason could be a harasser.
- Exclusion: Social and professional isolation is among the most common tactics used by perpetrators of psychological harassment. This includes excluding the victim from meetings, significant projects, or training sessions.
- Work overload: Imposing an excessive workload on the employee, with unattainable objectives in too short deadlines, is also a form of harassment.
How to handle a situation of psychological harassment at work?
To deal with a situation of moral harassment at work, it is first and foremost essential to gather evidence (emails, testimonials, audio recordings) in order to be able to later take action with the appropriate authorities:
- Talking to someone at work: Try talking to a colleague you trust or to your supervisor if they are not the person responsible for the harassment.
- Committees and labor protections: Union representatives, members of the work committee or occupational health services can form resource persons.
- Legal actions: In some cases, it is possible to bring a case before the Industrial Tribunal to acknowledge the situation of psychological harassment and to ask for compensation.
In short, identifying the warning signs of psychological harassment at work is essential to allow victims not to remain isolated and to find solutions to get out of this situation. Do not hesitate to be attentive to the unusual behavior of your colleagues or subordinates and to support those who are faced with this reality.