Understanding Workplace Mobbing
Recognising the Signs and Taking Action
Mobbing in the workplace
Workplace mobbing is a serious issue that can have devastating effects on an individual’s mental health and overall well-being. In their influential paper, researchers Shallcross, Ramsay, and Barker define mobbing as “a deliberate attempt to force a person out of their workplace by humiliation, general harassment, emotional abuse, and terror.” This type of behaviour is often orchestrated by a leader, who could be a manager, coworker, or subordinate, who then encourages others to engage in systematic and frequent “mob-like” behaviour toward the target.
Causes of Mobbing in the Workplace
The causes of mobbing can vary, but some estimates suggest that as many as four in 10 professionals have experienced bullying by a coworker. In some cases, the aggressor may have a personality disorder that allows them to display charming behaviour to recruit others into abusive acts, while switching to aggression toward the target. Other factors, such as low self-esteem, insecurity, past trauma, or social conditioning, may also contribute to this behaviour.
The Five Stages of Workplace Mobbing
Recognising the stages of mobbing can help you identify when it may be happening to you or a colleague, allowing you to take appropriate action, such as reporting the issue to HR. According to a recent key paper on the subject, the phases of development of a mobbing situation are:
- The Disagreement Stage: A target is identified, often due to a disagreement during a critical incident.
- The Aggression Stage: Psychological assaults begin, including negative comments, harmful practical jokes, humiliation, and exclusion.
- The Institutional Power Stage: The aggressor may attempt to involve management in their vendetta against the target, often by making false claims.
- The Description Stage: The aggressor plants false seeds about the target’s character to recruit others.
- The Expulsion Stage: The target may choose to leave their job or become resigned to the abuse, potentially leading to mental health consequences such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Who Might Be Targeted for Mobbing Behaviour? While anyone can be a target of workplace mobbing, research indicates that economically and socially disadvantaged groups, as well as those from lower-income groups, are typically more vulnerable. Mobbing may also be more likely to occur in organisations with poor management, limited opportunities for advancement, or in fields traditionally dominated by one gender.
How to Handle Workplace Bullying and Mobbing
If you recognise the signs of mobbing, consider setting firm boundaries with the aggressor. If the behaviour persists, keep a log of each incident, including the date, what happened, and any witnesses. This information can be used as proof when reporting the issue to your company’s HR department or management.
Coping with the Effects of Mobbing
If you’ve experienced mobbing in the past, therapy can be a valuable tool in processing these experiences and rebuilding your self-esteem. You can seek help from a mental health professional in person or consider virtual therapy options, such as BetterHelp, which allows you to connect with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home.
Conclusion
workplace mobbing is a serious issue that can have significant impacts on an individual’s mental health and well-being. By recognising the signs, taking action, and seeking support when needed, you can help protect yourself and others from this destructive behaviour.
Evolve Training Hub
If you feel your managers need guidance on bullying, harassment, victimisation, direct and indirect discrimination, we have a training course dedicated to dealing with bullying in the workplace and the cost of getting this wrong (there’s some shocking figures!) then please do get in touch with me holly@tickhr.com
