Subtle forms of bullying and intimidation, albeit more challenging to identify, can be equally traumatic as other forms of bullying
According to Christos Vachtsiavanos (2024) have identified 18 common forms of subtle workplace bullying and intimidation:
1. Toxic gossiping
Malicious rumors and office gossip can spread like wildfire, destroying employees’ reputations and creating a sense of isolation.
2. Excluding someone from professional activities
Being deliberately left out of meetings, social events, or other professional activities can make employees feel ostracized and undervalued.
3. Passive-aggressive behavior
Sarcastic remarks, dismissive body language, or the silent treatment are all forms of passive-aggressive behavior. These tactics can be incredibly frustrating because they’re often veiled, making it challenging to confront the issue directly.
4. Undermining someone’s work (especially in front of others)
If a manager or colleague undermines someone’s work in front of others or publicly highlights their mistakes, deliberate attempts to diminish their credibility and damage their self-esteem.
5. Giving unrealistic deadlines or excessive workload
Assigning someone unrealistic deadlines, excessive tasks, or projects outside their scope creates undue stress and sets them up for failure. This can be a way to make them feel overwhelmed and incompetent.
6. Withholding tasks and information from someone
Withholding crucial information or resources needed to complete one’s work effectively can sabotage your progress and hinder your performance, ultimately reflecting poorly on your abilities.
7. Inappropriate humor without consent
Offensive jokes or discriminatory remarks can make someone feel uncomfortable and unsafe at work.
8. Invading someone’s privacy
Intrusive questions, monitoring someone’s personal belongings, or constantly invading their physical workspace are all violations of privacy.
9. Constant micromanagement
Constant hovering, excessive revisions, and a lack of trust in someone’s abilities can be incredibly stifling and demotivating. This micromanagement can make you feel like you’re constantly being watched and judged.
10. Constant criticism
Constant unconstructive criticism, nitpicking, or focusing solely on one’s flaws can chip away at their confidence and make them question their competence.
11. Devaluing someone’s opinions
Devaluing someone’s opinions, ideas, or contributions in meetings or conversations can make them feel silenced and unimportant.
12. Purposefully ignoring someone
Purposefully ignoring someone, refusing to acknowledge their presence, or acting like they’re invisible is a form of emotional abuse.
13. Purposeful and constant irritability towards someone
Constant irritability, anger directed at someone specifically, or creating a tense atmosphere can be a way to intimidate and control their behavior.
14. Indirect threats
Subtle threats about job security, career advancement, or workload can create anxiety and fear, keeping you feeling on edge.
15. Gaslighting
Twisting reality, denying conversations happened, or making someone question their memory and perception are manipulative tactics used to confuse and control someone.
16. Making someone feel guilty
Using emotional manipulation to make someone feel responsible for others’ work or manipulating them into taking on additional tasks can lead to resentment and burnout..
17. Stealing someone’s credit
Not taking credit for your ideas, work, or achievements can be incredibly frustrating and leave you feeling undervalued.
18. Blaming someone for no reason
Being unfairly blamed for mistakes or errors you didn’t commit can damage one’s reputation and create unnecessary stress.
Since bullying at work has a severe negative impact on a person's ability to do their job as well as their mental well-being, it needs to be identified and handled effectively
Resource
https://www.christosvachtsiavanos.com/subtle-forms-of-workplace-bullying-and-intimidation-how-to-stop-them/
This post is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered therapy. This blog is only for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered therapy or any form of treatment. We are not able to respond to specific questions or comments about personal situations, appropriate diagnosis or treatment, or otherwise provide any clinical opinions. If you think you need immediate assistance, call your local doctor/psychologist or psychiatrist or the SADAG Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837. If necessary, please phone the Suicide Crisis Line on 0800 567 567 or sms 31393.