Stop Workplace Bullying: Facts and Statistics

What You Need to Know!

Workplace bullying remains legal throughout most of the United States, leaving many victims without formal avenues for redress and causing significant disruption within organizations. However, there is hope on the horizon: Puerto Rico has recently passed legislation to address this issue, signaling potential progress towards comprehensive workplace bullying laws across the country.

Key Workplace Bullying Statistics

2 million victims:

Annually, roughly 2 million people experience workplace violence (The Workplace Bullying Institute, 2021).

30% of Americans:

Have suffered from workplace abuse.

19% of Americans:

Have witnessed workplace bullying.

49% of Americans

Are affected by workplace bullying, either directly or indirectly.

66% of Americans:

Are aware that workplace bullying occurs (The Workplace Bullying Institute, 2021).

Additionally,

Workplace violence incidents have increased significantly, rising by 12% over seven years, from 36% in 2012 to 48% in 2019 (Society for Human Resource Management, 2019).

Think Workplace Bullying Might Be Affecting You?

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What is Workplace Bullying?

Workplace bullying involves repeated, harmful behaviors within a professional context. These behaviors, which occur regularly, can significantly impact an individual’s personal and professional life while also disrupting team dynamics and organizational culture. When left unaddressed, workplace bullying becomes normalized, influencing group dynamics, leadership practices, and the overall organizational environment. At its core, workplace bullying often arises from flaws in organizational culture, ineffective policies, and systemic issues within leadership and team structures.

Examples of Workplace Bullying Behaviors

Have you experienced any of these behaviors at work? Take our Workplace Bullying Self-Assessment to find out how they might be affecting you.

Verbal Bullying

Examples: Insults, shouting, or derogatory comments.

Nonverbal Bullying

Examples: Intimidating gestures, eye-rolling, or exclusionary body language.

Cyberbullying and Cyber Attacks

Examples: Harmful emails, social media harassment, spreading rumors online, and cyberattacks on professional reputation.

Physical Bullying

Examples: Unwanted physical contact, damaging personal property, or threats of violence.

Retaliation

Examples: Sabotaging work, withholding information, setting unrealistic deadlines, or retaliating against individuals for speaking up.

Emotional Manipulation and Gaslighting

Examples: Distorting facts, denying past events, or making the victim question their reality.