Conquering the Corporate Jungle: Preventing and Addressing Workplace Bullying in Nigeria

“Bullying is not just about physical violence, it’s also about psychological violence – the kind of violence that leaves scars on the soul” Benjamin Disreali

Imagine going to work, ready to tackle the day, but instead, you feel like you’re back in high school, dealing with bullies. Sadly, workplace bullying is all too real, and it’s like an annoying coworker who just won’t quit.

This isn’t just about someone taking the last donut or ignoring your emails—it can be way worse. From nasty comments and unfair treatment to constant undermining, workplace bullying can turn any job into a nightmare.

In this article, we’re breaking down what workplace bullying really is, the sneaky ways it shows up, and how it can mess with your health and career. We’ll also give you tips on how to deal with it and protect your well-being, whether you’re experiencing it yourself or supporting someone who is.

Ready to learn how to handle workplace bullies like a pro? Let’s dive in and turn that office jungle into a safer, friendlier place!

What Is Workplace Bullying?

Workplace bullying involves repeated and hostile actions toward an individual that create a toxic work environment. Unlike occasional conflicts, workplace bullying is persistent, and it can take many forms, such as:

• Verbal Abuse: Insults, mockery, and harsh criticism.
• Undermining Work: Deliberately sabotaging someone’s work or withholding important information.
• Isolation: Excluding someone from meetings, projects, or social events.
• Intimidation: Threatening behavior or using power to control others.
• Cyberbullying: Sending hurtful emails, texts, or social media posts.

These actions can make the targeted person feel powerless and unwelcome, creating a stressful and hostile work environment.

Negative and Psychological Effects of Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying doesn’t just stay at the office. Its effects often spill over into an individual’s mental health and overall well-being. Here are some common psychological and physical impacts:

• Anxiety and Depression: Constant harassment or isolation can lead to feelings of anxiety, sadness, and low self-worth.
• Stress and Burnout: Being bullied at work creates chronic stress, leading to burnout, where the person feels emotionally and physically drained.
• Low Self-Esteem: Repeated criticism and exclusion can damage a person’s confidence, making them doubt their skills and abilities.
• Physical Symptoms: Headaches, trouble sleeping, and even high blood pressure can arise due to prolonged stress from bullying.

Additional negative and psychological effects of workplace bullying on affected employees

1. Reduced Job Satisfaction: Constant bullying can make employees feel disconnected and disheartened, leading to a lack of satisfaction and enthusiasm for their work. Over time, this can cause employees to lose motivation and passion for their roles.
2. Social Withdrawal: Bullying can make employees feel isolated, leading them to withdraw from social interactions with colleagues. This isolation can create feelings of loneliness and disconnection, further impacting their mental health.
3. Difficulty Concentrating: Bullying often creates a stressful environment, making it hard for employees to focus on tasks. Worrying about potential bullying incidents can occupy their thoughts, leading to mistakes and reduced work quality.
4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms: In severe cases, prolonged bullying can lead to symptoms similar to PTSD, such as flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness. This can happen when bullying becomes traumatic, leaving lasting emotional scars.
5. Digestive Issues: Chronic stress from workplace bullying can lead to gastrointestinal problems like stomach aches, nausea, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as stress affects digestion and gut health.
6. Increased Absenteeism: Employees who face bullying may frequently take time off work to avoid the toxic environment. High absenteeism can become a coping mechanism, impacting both the individual and the organization.
7. Decreased Resilience: Prolonged exposure to bullying can reduce a person’s ability to cope with stress over time. This lowered resilience may affect how they handle challenges, making them more vulnerable to future stressors.
8. Relationship Strain: The emotional toll of bullying can extend into an individual’s personal life, leading to strained relationships with family and friends. As stress from work builds up, it can make it harder for employees to connect and communicate effectively outside of work.

Some have even committed suicide. It’s a toxic cocktail that compromises individual well-being and organizational vitality.

Each of these effects can deeply impact an employee’s overall well-being, making it essential for organizations to address workplace bullying and create a safe, supportive work environment.

The Impact of Workplace Bullying on the Organization

Workplace bullying doesn’t just harm the person being targeted; it also negatively affects the entire organization. A toxic work environment can lead to:

• Low Productivity: People who are anxious or stressed perform poorly, and the overall productivity of the team drops.
• High Turnover: When bullying is tolerated, employees may leave to find a healthier work environment, resulting in higher recruitment costs and constant team disruptions.
• Damaged Reputation: Companies known for a negative work culture can struggle to attract new talent and may lose the respect of clients or partners.
• Poor Team Morale: When bullying is present, it affects everyone. Witnessing bullying can make other employees feel unsafe and lower their commitment to the organization.

Additional Negative Effects of Workplace Bullying on the Organization

1. Increased Absenteeism: Employees facing bullying are more likely to take sick leave to avoid the stressful environment, leading to higher absenteeism rates. This disrupts workflows, burdens other team members, and can delay project deadlines.
2. Higher Healthcare and Mental Health Costs: Organizations may face increased healthcare expenses, as bullied employees often experience stress-related illnesses. These health issues can lead to higher insurance claims, mental health treatment costs, and potential long-term disability claims.
3. Loss of Innovation and Creativity: A culture of bullying stifles creativity and discourages employees from sharing new ideas. Fear of criticism or retaliation can prevent employees from taking initiative, which can hinder the company’s ability to innovate and stay competitive.
4. Decreased Employee Engagement: Bullying lowers engagement, as employees become less interested in their work and less motivated to contribute positively. Low engagement leads to poorer work quality, which impacts customer satisfaction and overall organizational success.
5. Legal Costs and Potential Lawsuits: Organizations that allow bullying to persist may face legal action from employees who experience harassment or a hostile work environment. Legal battles are not only costly but also time-consuming and damaging to a company’s reputation.
6. Reduced Diversity and Inclusion: Bullying can discourage employees from diverse backgrounds or underrepresented groups, leading to a lack of diversity and inclusivity. This not only reduces varied perspectives but can also harm the organization’s reputation as a fair and welcoming workplace.
7. Management and Leadership Strain: Bullying incidents require time and attention from management, diverting their focus from core business operations. Leaders dealing with these issues may experience stress and burnout, impacting their ability to lead effectively.

These effects show that workplace bullying can erode an organization’s foundation, affecting profitability, productivity, and sustainability in the long run.

Bullying Hotspots: Is Your Job on the Line?

Certain professions appear more susceptible to the bullying epidemic. Industries like healthcare, education, and services report higher rates of workplace bullying, fueled by stress, power dynamics, and constant interaction with patients, students, or clients.

However, make no mistake – bullying can rear its head in any industry or workplace. Regardless of your workplace, recognizing and addressing bullying is the first step toward a culture where everyone feels respected, protected, and empowered.

Preventing Workplace Bullying

Creating a workplace culture of respect, inclusivity, and open communication is crucial. Human Resource professionals can lead the charge by establishing clear policies, providing ongoing training, promoting open communication, and encouraging bystander intervention.

1. Addressing Complaints Head-On

Addressing workplace bullying demands a multi-pronged approach. Strict compliance standards, corporate ethics promotion, and a dedicated reporting team can empower victims to voice their concerns.

Beyond reactivity, organizations must invest in workplace engagement, behavior awareness training, and stress management programs to foster a supportive work culture.

2. Leadership, Management, and Employee Roles

Organizational leaders play a pivotal role in enforcing policies, providing communication channels, and instituting fair investigation processes. Managers, being closer to the frontline, must listen to concerns, address aggression promptly, and support ongoing training initiatives.

Employees can contribute by modeling respectful behavior, communicating concerns, participating in awareness training, and collectively standing up against bullying.

3. A Collective Stand Against Bullying

Colleagues witnessing bullying incidents play a crucial role in prevention through bystander intervention. By collectively standing against bullying, employees not only protect themselves but also foster unity, discouraging toxic behavior and cultivating an environment characterized by respect and empathy.

4. Collective Responsibility for Safe Workplaces

Creating and maintaining safe and respectful workplaces is a collective responsibility. The prevalence of bullying hinges on the tolerance within environments and cultures. Observing and reporting instances of bullying, whether as a victim or a witness, is integral to prevention.

Each individual plays a critical role in shaping and preserving a workplace culture rooted in respect and empathy.

Legal Protections in Nigeria

For employees facing workplace bullying, overcoming the challenge may seem daunting, especially when considering legal avenues. Meticulously documenting instances of misconduct through a journal or memoranda can fortify your position. While workplace bullying recognition lags in Nigeria, global standards emphasize its classification as a human rights violation.

The United Nations Human Rights Council urges the government to institute measures preventing and addressing workplace bullying. Although the Nigeria Labor Act lacks explicit workplace bullying provisions, its broader principles can be leveraged, with the National Industrial Court offering a legal avenue for disputes.

Conclusion: A Call for Comprehensive Change

Effectively combating workplace bullying in Nigeria demands a comprehensive approach. Government intervention is crucial, advocating for explicit labor laws defining and prohibiting workplace bullying.

Regulatory bodies overseeing workplace ethics and enforcing anti-bullying regulations would ensure organizational accountability. Human rights groups, like the ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) Centre in Nigeria, play a pivotal role in this fight, deserving unwavering support.