Workplace bullies try to manipulate, harass, humiliate or threaten employees at the office. The stress and anxiety that result can lead victims to experience illness, insomnia, high blood pressure and a host of medical maladies. Workplace bullying does not just have a high cost for the victims. Employers can suffer from bullies at the office, too.
Bullies can cost firms thousands of dollars due to a range of issues. Companies can solve these financial dilemmas by having a "no tolerance" policy for abusive people who take advantage of others. The costs of bullying add up over time, and these expenses could become unwieldy.
Time Off
Victims of bullies may need to take extra time off for sick days, personal days and mental refreshers because these unwitting souls simply do not want to deal with their tormentors. If a bully harasses more than one person, multiple people may take time off and affect productivity on a larger scale.
Lost Productivity
Even when a victim of bullying comes into work, that person may not feel like performing at a top level. Therefore, that person is less productive at the office. This simply comes from a loss of motivation because showing up at work is too stressful.
Higher Turnover Rates
A workplace bully may cause one or more people to quit. Again, this is because it is too intolerable to try to work around the person's detrimental behavior. Not only do victims of bullying quit, but those who witness the bullying also tend to quit because of the toxic atmosphere created by this person's attitude.
As many as 30 percent of bullied employees quit their jobs, and up to 20 percent of those who witness bullying also leave the company. The employer then covers the costs, spending time and effort to hire new staffers.
Increased Medical Costs
Bullied employees may seek medical treatment, which could make a company's health insurance premiums rise. Someone may also file worker's compensation, unemployment or disability claims because of a bully. An employer must cover those costs as well.
Legal Costs
If a bullied employee has a legal case, the employer must defend itself in court. These legal fees cost money before a jury rules in the case. A settlement, whether before or after trial, costs even more money in a wrongful dismissal or harassment case. The damage to the company's reputation may also prevent top-level talent from migrating to the firm due to its poor reputation.
Financial Impacts
All these costs and extra expenses affect a company's bottom line, revenue and profits. Lost productivity reduces output, lowers quality of products and may even lead to fewer customers because of poor customer service. In March 2002, Harris Psychological Associates in Orlando, Florida, reported that over the span of two years, workplace bullying cost the federal government $180 million in lost time and productivity.
One of the best ways employees can combat workplace bullying includes telling a trusted co-worker. Going to human resources also helps, as this department should be familiar with labor laws and issues. Unfortunately, no federal laws protect someone against workplace bullies, but the issue is gaining prominence among state legislatures.
Photo Courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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