Sexual Harassment Training Seminar:
Are You Being Bullied or Harassed at Work?

Effects of Bullying

It is a common experience for workers who are being systematically bullied to feel demeaned, inadequate, and deeply distressed. Many feel too embarrassed and ashamed to talk about what is going on in their work place. This is especially true for men, who find it very difficult to admit that they are being bullied, particularly if they work in a 'macho' environment. This fear of losing face for reporting bullying is even more pronounced when a man is being bullied by a female.

To many it feels that bullying is something that happens to a few unlucky kids at school, and has no place in the adult world. It can be very difficult to understand what is happening, to realise that it is not the worker's own behaviour or attitude which is at fault. It is very usual for the victim of this kind of prolonged harassment to suffer from self-doubt, and to wonder what he or she is doing to deserve this treatment. Constant, petty criticism, and failure to meet impossible deadlines, eats away at self-esteem, eroding perhaps years of positive reviews and appreciative managers, stripping away layers of experience and competence, exposing our vulnerabilities. This is particularly the case when one worker is selected by a boss for victimisation, and becomes isolated from co-workers, who are too frightened themselves to take the side of the victim.

Bullying often starts when management selects a worker who they no longer have any use for, and who they want to force to resign. Work will be scrutinised and monitored, as the manager has been ordered to find 'legitimate' grounds for dismissal. There is desperate pressure inflicted on a person in this situation not to make mistakes. It becomes a nightmarish battle which the worker has no chance of winning, unless support from a union is sought.

The effects of bullying on a worker can be crippling. Feelings can include fear, impotence, powerlessness, anger, hatred, rage, and the desire to seek revenge. Workers may be so fearful of going to work that they may vomit and feel physically ill before leaving for work each morning. In many cases, a person's self-respect, among colleagues and co-workers, and the means of his or her livelihood are under siege by constant bullying and intimidation. This is particularly the case when a worker feels trapped, and loses all hope of securing further employment, due to age or a lack of skills and training. When our basic survival needs are threatened we usually experience feelings of terror. When our self-respect is being systematically destroyed, and we feel powerless to do anything to stop it, thoughts of suicide often enter the victim's mind. Actual suicides have occurred as a result of workplace bullying.

Effects of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment infringes the basic dignity of the individual, and can have a devastating effect on the health, competence, morale and self-esteem of those affected. Workers who are being sexually harassed often feel powerless, frightened, demeaned, angry, humiliated, and isolated. Many feel they will be blamed for causing the unwanted behaviour if they report the abuse, so they remain silent. Others feel frightened that they will be demoted, suffer further victimisation or dismissal if they speak out. Feelings of anxiety and stress, loss of confidence, and bouts of illness are common experiences of those who are sexually harassed. A person's social life and personal relationships may also be adversely affected.

Victims often report feeling 'dirty', 'demeaned', and 'used', particularly if the harassment has been physical in nature. Those who are coerced into giving sexual favours, for fear of losing their jobs, frequently feel angry, guilty, and violated. Often the victim is forced to leave employment without having secured another position, which can cause short and long term financial hardship. Where the harassment is particularly vicious or prolonged, including sexual assault and rape, the victim may experience bouts of severe depression and suicidal thoughts.

Although the majority of victims of sexual harassment are women, men may also find themselves becoming the butt of sexual jokes, and unwanted physical contact. Men have also reported being groped and teased at work by male and female colleagues. It can be particularly difficult for a male victim of harassment to come forward and seek support, due to the fear of appearing 'weak' or 'un-macho' to workmates.

Effects of Violence

Bullying may involve physical violence being perpetrated against a worker, such as pushing, punching, kicking or slapping, by a colleague or superior. Emotionally, victims of violent bullying often feel deeply shocked, angry, frightened and out of control. There are workers who have been intimidated by employers with the threat of physical violence to self and to relatives, if they dare to involve a union, or to take a case against the firm. This type of bullying is criminal, and the effects on those concerned are long-lasting, severely damaging and deeply traumatic.

Violence may also be inflicted on workers by members of the public. The physical effects of violence can range from cuts and bruises, to broken bones and life-threatening injuries, which may leave the victim scarred, or disabled. Serious assault, even resulting in death, has become a real fear for many types of workers in the course of their duties. Occupations most vulnerable to attack are those who enforce the law (e.g. gardai, army, wardens, social workers), those who handle money (e.g. security workers, cashiers, bus drivers, shop assistants), and those who work in the caring professions (e.g. nurses). Working in areas where there is a likelihood of violence can lead to low staff morale and high levels of stress. (Guidance on the prevention of violence at work: 1995).

The psychological effects of violence on employees include anxiety, helplessness, irritability, soreness, hyper alertness, sadness, depression, and shock. This type of reaction is referred to as post traumatic stress disorder, and can include constant thoughts about the incident, muscle tenseness, fatigue, increased use of alcohol, nicotine and food as a means of coping (Poster and Ryan: 1993).

The Health and Safety Authority has reported injuries to workers which necessitated surgery, and which led to long term disability. A major psychological effect of violence is the loss of self-confidence. Unless this is adequately treated, it may develop into behavioural problems, anxiety, depression, or post traumatic stress disorder. (Violence at work).

Effects of Stress

According to the Health and Safety Authority, workers who endure excessively stressful conditions often experience anxiety and fatigue. They are more prone to making mistakes and having accidents. They are more likely to indulge in excessive smoking, drinking, eating or drug-taking. High levels of stress over a long period of time have been shown to contribute to heart-disease, reduced resistance to infection, digestive problems and skin problems. Striving to meet impossible deadlines or to complete excessive amounts of work often leaves workers feeling anxious, inadequate, frustrated, depressed, and out of control (Workplace stress: Cause, effects and control).

Summary

In summary, the following psychological effects have been reported by workers who have experienced sexual harassment, bullying, violence and stress in the workplace:

· Physical problems manifesting, such as aches and pains, migraine, backache, ulcers, skin disorders, stomach problems, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, which may necessitate periods of sick-leave

· Difficulty sleeping

· Obsessive thoughts about work

· Emotional exhaustion

· Bouts of uncontrollable sobbing

· Palpitations, panic attacks and mood swings

· Feeling inadequate, powerless and out of control

· Loss of sex-drive, sometimes leading to impotence

· Emotional withdrawal from family, friends and colleagues

· Feeling unmotivated, lethargic and apathetic

· Increased reliance on drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol

· Feeling anxious, fearful and irritable

· Lacking confidence and self-esteem

· Feeling shocked and bewildered, humiliated and demeaned

· Fear of making mistakes, which leads to a decrease in job performance

· Feeling depressed, accompanied by thoughts of suicide, attempted suicide or actual suicide

· Feeling alienated, frozen out and isolated

· Feeling anger and hatred towards the harasser

· Daydreaming of taking revenge and getting even

· Unfair dismissal

· Constructive dismissal due to severity of harassment

· Leaving employment before another job has been secured.

Source: Lucy Costigan link