What is Mobbing? Symptoms, causes and psychological effects

Victims of mobbing often experience emotional and psychological distress. That is why it is important for employers to have a zero-tolerance policy against mobbing and to create a culture of respect among employees. Here are the details about mobbing.

What is Mobbing?

Mobbing is a situation in which a person or group of employees in the workplace exhibits systematic, hostile and bad behavior towards another employee or employees. This behavior can cause the victim of the harassment to feel uncomfortable at work, reduce work efficiency, and experience difficulties in business in general.

Common symptoms of mobbing include personal attacks, insults, criticism, false slander, workplace exclusion, unfair and arbitrary job changes, disruptive behavior, constant and intolerable pressure, threats, and humiliation.

Mobbing occurs among people who work in many different industries and functions. It is also known that people who are bullied can be adversely affected not only at work, but also in their private lives.

What are the symptoms of mobbing?

Mobbing is psychological harassment that is constantly exposed in the workplace. Mobbing causes problems in a person’s business and personal life and its negative effects can last for a long time. People exposed to mobbing can recognize the symptoms and take timely action to remedy the situation. These are the signs of mobbing:

Constant criticism

People who are harassed are constantly criticized and everything they do is maligned. This criticism is often unrealistic and makes one feel helpless.

Irregular changes in workload

The workload, duties and responsibilities of mobbing people can change all the time. These changes are often arbitrary and unfair and make it difficult for the person to do their job.

Social exclusion

People who are harassed are ostracized by their colleagues and left alone. This exclusion lowers the person’s performance at work and makes the person feel worthless.

Repression

Victims of mobbing are kept under constant psychological pressure. This pressure negatively impacts a person’s mental health and can cause conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression.

Hazards

People who are bullied may be pressured into losing their job, cutting their salary, or similar threats. These threats create fear in the person’s business life and should continue to be exposed to mobbing.

Physical symptoms

Victims of mobbing may experience frequent headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances, fatigue, loss of appetite, and similar physical symptoms.

What do victims of mobbing feel?

Mobbing is a situation where a person is constantly attacked and harassed by others in the workplace. Victims of mobbing may experience a variety of emotional and psychological distress from such harassment. Victims of mobbing can feel powerless and vulnerable. When harassed people are targeted by other employees, they may have a hard time defending themselves and may fear losing their position in the workplace.

Victims of mobbing can lose their self-confidence. People who are constantly criticized and harassed can lose confidence in themselves and feel responsible for their failures in the workplace. They may feel stressed and anxious. When they are constantly attacked, their workplace stress levels can increase, which can negatively impact their job performance.

What are the psychological effects of mobbing?

Mobbing can have significant psychological consequences for employees exposed to workplace harassment and harassment. Here are the psychological effects;

• It can cause depression in employees.
• Employees who are constantly harassed and bullied can feel hopeless and helpless.
• It can have a negative impact on their personal and business lives.
• It may even increase the risk of suicide.
• It can negatively affect the self-confidence of employees.
• Employees who are constantly criticized or humiliated can lose their self-confidence.
• It can reduce employee engagement in the workplace and cause them to quit.

What are the causes of mobbing?

Mobbing is a situation where a person is constantly attacked and harassed by others in the workplace. The causes of mobbing can be different and often have a complex structure. Here are some possible factors related to the causes of mobbing:

1. Hierarchical structure in the workplace

The hierarchical structure in the workplace is a factor that can lead to mobbing. The balance of power between people can create an opportunity for one person to target and harass others.

2. Competition and jealousy

Competition and jealousy in the workplace can be one of the causes of mobbing. Some employees may feel uncomfortable with the success of a colleague who is successful in their job and try to target this person and try to remove them from their job.

3. Workload and Performance

High work pressure and performance expectations can be counted among the causes of mobbing. Pressure and stress in the workplace can change employees’ attitudes towards each other and lead to mobbing.

4. Personality conflicts

Personality conflicts in the workplace can be one of the causes of mobbing. Different personality traits and interests can cause friction and disagreements between employees.

5. Communication problems

Communication problems in the workplace are a factor that can lead to mobbing. Misunderstandings, misinformation and incomplete communication can create tension between employees and cause mobbing.

Why is mobbing done?

Mobbing is often done because of an imbalance of power, jealousy, competition, prejudice, personal differences or job performance.

What are the symptoms of mobbing?

Signs of mobbing may include exclusion from colleagues, aggressive or hostile behavior, excessive criticism of work performance, constant and unfounded criticism, verbal or physical attacks, and other similar behavior.

What are the psychological effects of mobbing?

Mobbing can cause many psychological effects, including stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, social isolation, low self-esteem, job dissatisfaction, and even suicidal thoughts.

How to prevent bullying?

To prevent mobbing, employers should establish training programs, policies and procedures, provide open communication channels and encourage people-to-people collaboration. Individuals, on the other hand, can contribute to creating a positive workplace environment by acting with honesty, respect and understanding.

What are the legal consequences of mobbing?

Mobbing is illegal and employers must take mobbing seriously and take effective action. Individuals exposed to mobbing can sue employers and mobbers for damages.