SATURDAY, March 8 (HealthDay News) -- Persistent criticism,
belittling comments, bullying and other forms of workplace
aggression may inflict more harm on employees than sexual
harassment, according to a Canadian study.
"As sexual harassment becomes less acceptable in society,
organizations may be more attuned to helping victims, who may
therefore find it easier to cope. In contrast, non-violent forms of
workplace aggression such as incivility and bullying are not
illegal, leaving victims to fend for themselves," lead author M.
Sandy Hershcovis, of the University of Manitoba, said in a prepared
statement.
In their work, the researchers reviewed 110 studies conducted
over 21 years. They found that both workplace aggression and sexual
harassment create negative work environments and unhealthy
consequences for workers, but aggression has more severe
consequences.
Workers faced with bullying, incivility or interpersonal
conflict were more likely to quit their jobs, have a lower level of
well-being, be less satisfied with their jobs, and have less
satisfying relationships with their bosses than workers who were
sexually harassed, the researchers concluded.
In addition, bullied employees reported more job stress, less
job commitment and higher levels of anger and anxiety.
"Bullying is often more subtle and may include behaviors that do
not appear obvious to others," Hershcovis said. "For instance, how
does an employee report to their boss that they have been excluded
from lunch? Or that they are being ignored by a co-worker? The
insidious nature of these behaviors makes them difficult to deal
with and sanction."
The study was to be presented Saturday in Washington, D.C., at
the International Conference on Work, Stress and Health,
co-sponsored by the American Psychological Association, the U.S.
National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and the
Society for Occupational Health Psychology.
More information
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workplace issues.
