Workplace bullying: bossing, mobbing. How to fight them?

Author: Zuzana Kocáková

Career

10. 11. 2023 10 reading minutes

Workplace bullying is a problem that occurs in many companies. Fighting it is difficult and complicated, because it may not be caused by employees alone. Bullying can also be done by the supervisor himself. What forms of bullying behaviour at work we know and how to deal with them?

Characteristics of workplace bullying

Bullying at work can take two forms:

• mental,
• physical.

In most cases, the mental/psychological form, in which insults and humiliation are used, dominates. The other employee or supervisor often chooses the “weaker” victim. This means a person with a lower status at work or someone who, by their nature, cannot or does not know how to defend themselves adequately.

Bullying, especially psychological bullying, can be difficult to recognize at first sight. Apart from the unpleasant feeling, it often leaves no clear trace. However, if it persists for longer, it can lead to serious consequences such as depression or burnout. That is why we should not underestimate it and should start fighting it as soon as possible.

Workplace bullying and harassment – a criminal offence

There is currently no law in Slovakia that explicitly defines workplace bullying. However, there are two laws which anyone concerned about this issue can use.

Specifically:

• Labour Code – Act No. 311/2001 Coll., which relates to workplace bullying.
• Anti-discrimination Act – Act No. 365/2004 Coll. on equal treatment in certain areas and protection against discrimination and on amending and supplementing certain laws.

Workplace bullying section

The key provision is Section 13, within which you will find the principle of equal treatment, together with a reference to the Anti-Discrimination Act. In addition, § 13 paragraph 3 is important and states that the exercise of rights and obligations in the context of employment relationships must be in accordance with good morals.

Equally important is paragraph 7 of § 13. On its basis, an employee has the right to lodge a complaint in relation to a breach of the principle of equal treatment or in relation to a breach of rights and obligations arising from employment relationships.

In the context of workplace bullying, a number of other paragraphs from section 13 can be used, including the ninth paragraph. On the basis of this, the employee may bring an action in court if he considers that his rights have been violated in accordance with Section 13.

In the law, namely in § 13 paragraph 8, you will also find protection for an employee from harassment and victimisation in the employment relationship for filing a complaint, complaint or petition with the competent authority to initiate a criminal prosecution. The purpose of this paragraph is to prevent the bullied victim from being afraid to address the problem simply because of fears that the supervisor might fire them or cause other problems.

Workplace bullying – Labour Inspectorate

Victims of workplace bullying can contact the Labour Inspectorate or the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights if necessary. The role of the Inspectorate is to check compliance with labour legislation. The National Centre on the other side provides legal assistance for employees who have experienced discriminatory behaviour. It also issues expert opinions on the subject.

Workplace bullying – manifestations

Workplace bullying manifests itself in different ways. Accordingly, it can be divided into several basic types, including:

• mobbing,
• bossing,
• staffing

We’ll talk a bit more about each type.

Mobbing meaning

Mobbing is one of the most common forms of bullying. Swedish sociologist Dr. Heinz Leymann describes it as systematic and intense attacks and bullying by multiple workers against an individual. We can talk about mobbing at work when it happens at least once a week for half a year.

The victim of mobbing is regularly subjected to psychological pressure. His human dignity suffers, which can result in various psychological, sometimes even physical, problems.

Mobbing usually takes several forms, such as:

• disrespectful remarks about work and private life,
• assigning meaningless tasks,
• disrespectful opinions,
• complete disregard for the victim,
• constant criticism of the victim,
• spreading rumors and gossip,
• making unreasonable demands,
• gesture intimidation.

Mobbing behaviour in the workplace – how to defend yourself?

If you too are wondering how to deal with workplace bullying, the first thing to do is to acknowledge the problem. Many staff regularly face disrespectful comments and remarks, but they don’t take it to the heart. They refer to them as “witty comments”, not as insults.

In the next step, it is important to go to your supervisor and start addressing the mobbing with them. If they refuse, you have the option of contacting the Labour Inspectorate or the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights.

Bossing meaning

Wondering what does bossing mean? The answer is quite simple. Bossing is a type of bullying in which the perpetrator, i.e. the person doing the bullying, is in a superior position to the victim. This is a form of mobbing.

Bossing employees can manifest itself in a number of ways. Sometimes the signs are more visible and can be noticed even by a person who is not being bullied by a supervisor. At other times, the manifestations are less noticeable and it is very difficult for the victim to show any evidence if necessary.

To give you a better idea of what this form of bullying looks like, here are some examples of bossing:

• regular remuneration of the same employees,
• unrealistic performance requirements of the victim or victims,
• appropriation of achievements by superiors,
• increased time demands on the victim,
• insulting the victim,
• psychological pressure on the victim.

How to deal with bossing?

The fight against bossing is difficult and even more complicated compared to mobbing. The reason is that in the event of mobbing, you have option to ask for help your supervisor. In the case of bossing, however, it is the supervisor who bullies. If there is no one else above them in the corporate hierarchy, the only solution is the Labour Inspectorate or the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights.

So if you notice any signs of bossing in your work, don’t wait too long. Bullying tends to progress quickly and leave deep wounds.

Staffing meaning

The third type of bullying you may encounter in the workplace is staffing. This form is characterized by subordinates abusing their superior. It can manifest itself in a variety of ways, for example:

• with mocking insults,
• by spreading gossip and false information,
• whispering behind their back,
• psychological pressure.

The staffing problem is most often encountered by new or younger supervisors whom the existing team does not accept. Prolonged bullying by subordinates can lead to loss of authority and dignity. But these are not the only consequences. Over time, victims may also suffer from various psychological problems, such as depression.

How to deal with staffing?

Try to develop a friendly relationship with your subordinates. Think about different team-building activities or breakfasts together. If the employees are not interested and the bullying continues to increase, you have the Labour Inspectorate or the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights at your disposal.

Bullying in the workplace

Bullying is nothing new in collectives. You can meet with it at school or in groups of friends at a younger age. Later, it may also manifest itself directly in the workplace.

Bullying is a general term that includes mobbing, bossing and staffing. This is a situation where one or more people bully usually one, but sometimes more, victims, regardless of status, age, gender or anything else.

How to fight bullying?

The fight against bullying depends on its form. If a person is being bullied by a colleague, they can go to a supervisor. However, if the victim is being bullied by a supervisor or the supervisor is being bullied by subordinates, it is advisable to take the matter up with a third party, such as the Labour Inspectorate.

However, within the bullying itself, the bystanders who see what is happening are also very important. If you are one of them, don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd and call out inappropriate behaviour. The sooner you do so, the better.

Mobbing bossing differences

Mobbing and bossing are two distinct types of bullying that have several differences between them. We will mention the most common ones below.

• Victim – mobbing is characterized by the victim being bullied by people who are in the same position as the victim. These are usually colleagues. On the contrary, bossing is bullying coming from a superior. Their victims are usually the people who work for them.
• Number of victims – in mobbing, usually more than one person bullies one victim. In bossing, the number of victims varies. Sometimes a supervisor will focus on just one subordinate, other times they may focus on a group of several people.
• Problem solving – you can see the big differences between the two types of bullying in their solutions. When mobbing occurs, the victim may turn to a supervisor. However, in the case of bossing, the supervisor can only turn to the Labour Inspectorate or the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights.

Mobbing and bossing in the workplace share a number of common characteristics in addition to their differences. They are:

• Consequences – all types and forms of bullying usually have a very similar impact on a person. By regularly oppressing them, they cause psychological problems that can result in irritation, bad mood or depression.
• The manifestations – mobbing and bossing are often very similar. The perpetrator or perpetrators, exert psychological pressure on the victim, insult, ridicule, spread false information about the victim, or make increased demands on the victim.

A pleasant working environment is essential

Many people focus on salary conditions or job requirements when looking for a job and viewing job offers. However, not everyone thinks about what kind of working environment awaits for them when they start to work. The key to peace and good mood are a pleasant company culture and employee benefits which are influenced by many, often even the smallest details. These include interesting team building, breakfasts together and much more. This is one of the reasons why we organize similar activities on a regular basis.

However, apart from the benefits, how can you find out if the company is really good and bullying is not prevalent in the company? One option is to find out the opinions of the people who work for that company. We at msg life regularly feature interviews with our team. You can use them to find out what it’s like to work for us and what to expect if you were considering working for us.

In case you don’t feel like reading too much, there is also a msg life photo gallery. Photographs often show much more than text and give you a glimpse into our premises.

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Workplace bullying: bossing, mobbing. How to fight them?

Zuzana Kocáková

At msg life Slovakia I take care of the company culture, events and I am part of the marketing team. I like a job where I can be creative and contribute to making my colleagues at msg feel good. I regularly prepare for you not only news and interesting things from the world of information technology and insurance, but also from behind the scenes events at msg life Slovakia.