Bullying in Schools and at the Workplace

I choose the topic of bullying as I too have been a victim of bullying,

Bullying occurs not just in schools but also at the workplace.

Research shows that in educational institutions, most bullying occurs around middle school or college. Vulnerable children are attacked mainly in school hallways, classrooms, cafeterias, playgrounds, school buses, or restrooms by one person or a group of people. Bullies can be male or female and are usually bigger and target children who are smaller, who cannot stand up to them, or children who do not have many friends. 

There are six types of bullying; physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, higher education, and psychological. Bullying can be direct or indirect. Direct bullying is physical or verbal and is easily detectable because it involves pushing, fighting, spitting, or kicking, to name a few. Indirect bullying is usually harder to detect and involves manipulating friendships or spreading rumors and the like. But schools can help reduce bullying by creating a more positive climate with initiatives like a nonviolent alternative to resolving conflicts when it occurs. A bullying prevention program is a policy and procedure that should be in place in all educational institutions.

People who witness bullying, such as students, school staff, and even parents, can stop it by intervening, interrupting, or speaking up.

Some examples of children who are most targeted  by bullies are children with special needs, children with different sexual orientations, religious beliefs, distinctive physical appearance, disability, and race.

Some causes of why bullies become high-risk are depression, anxiety, sleeping problems, lower academic achievements, dropping out of school, feelings of loneliness and insecurity, loss of confidence, not socializing, behavioral problems, developing mental illness, and sometimes suicide.

In the workplace, bullying takes place irrespective of gender. Bullies can be one person or a group of people that believe a staff member may pose a threat to their work status because they are in a higher position or have more authority than they do. These people would be their boss or manager, but a few may be co-workers or even customers. The motive for bullying is that they may suffer from low self-esteem, envy, or resentment. But companies can help eliminate bullying by including a policy that relates to bullying and outlining clearly an example of what is not acceptable. 

Some examples of types of bullying are: spreading rumors, gossiping, excluding an employee socially, intimidating an employee, physical abuse, sexual harassment, removing areas of responsibility, giving the wrong information, giving unrealistic deadlines, assigning unreasonable workload, obscene language, and raising voice against an employee. These may happen by email, text, letter, telephone, or even face-to-face.

Some examples of people who are generally targeted by bullies are those who are intelligent, determined, go the extra mile, are recognized for their hard work, are talented, popular with customers, help by sharing knowledge and experience, and are creative.

Some examples that may trigger someone to bully are new managers, when an employee gains recognition for achievement, reorganization, or when an employee blows the whistle on incompetence.

Depression, anger, frustration, loss of confidence, difficulty in sleeping, loss of appetite, constant headaches, tension, stress, and difficulty concentrating are some of the underlying causes for bullies to become high risk and pose a threat at the workplace.

If bullying does not stop, people start looking for another job. The company stands to lose good and efficient employees.