In 2007, the Workplace Bullying Institute partnered with Zogby International to conduct the first nationwide study of adult Americans on the topic of workplace bullying.  The survey's findings demonstrate that workplace bullying is one of the most significant threats to both companies and their employees.

 

The workplace bullying study found that 37% of workers, or about 54 million Americans, have been bullied at some point in their careers.  The vast majority, 72%, of workplace bullies are bosses.  Furthermore, the study found that 62% of employers ignore the bullying problem.  Although 45% of workplace bullying victims suffer stress-related health problems, only 3% of bullied people file lawsuits against their employer.

 

Many workplace experts and researchers have documented the extensive legal and management costs that workplace bullying causes employers:

• Damage to victims and witnesses, including the cost of distraction, stress and loss of motivation

• Cost to management, including time spent mediating disputes and reorganizing departments damaged by bad bosses as well as the expense and effort of hiring replacements for employees that leave the hostile work environment

• Anger-management and other training to reform workplace bullies

• Legal costs for inside and outside counsel

• Settlement fees and litigation costs stemming from EEOC complaints and hostile work environment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation lawsuits

• Compensation for internal and external consultants, executive coaches, and therapists

RATE MY BOSS