Understanding Workplace Bullying: Meaning, Examples, and Solutions

Meaning 1：Workplace bullying (Workplace bullying)

Workplace bullying 🔊

/ˈwɜːrkpleɪs ˈbʊliɪŋ/

when someone at work is repeatedly mean or aggressive towards another person, making them feel upset or unsafe.

Workplace bullying 🔊

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/ˈwɜːrkpleɪs ˈbʊliɪŋ/

The repeated, unreasonable behavior directed at an employee by one or more colleagues, which creates a hostile or intimidating work environment.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Combination of 'workplace' (work + place) and 'bullying' (from bully, meaning intimidation).

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a bully with a briefcase - same mean behavior, just in a cubicle.

📖 Example

At the meeting, Lisa felt uncomfortable because one of her senior colleagues constantly interrupted and belittled her ideas, which felt like a subtle form of workplace bullying. 🔊 At the meeting, Lisa felt uncomfortable because one of her senior colleagues constantly interrupted and belittled her ideas, which felt like a subtle form of workplace bullying.

🔗 Collocations

experience workplace bullying – to be subjected to systematic mistreatment at work

report workplace bullying – to formally notify management about bullying behavior

prevent workplace bullying – to take steps to stop bullying from occurring

🔄 Synonyms

workplace harassment (n.) – Unwanted conduct based on protected characteristics that creates a hostile environment

mobbing (n.) – A form of workplace bullying where a group targets an individual

occupational bullying (n.) – Bullying that occurs within a work context

🚫 Antonyms

workplace respect (n.) – A culture of mutual respect and positive interaction at work

collegial support (n.) – Supportive and cooperative behavior among colleagues

🌱 Derivatives

bully (v.) – To intimidate or harm someone systematically

bullying (adj.) – Relating to or characterized by bullying

bully victim (n.) – A person who is subjected to bullying

📖 Cultural Story

First studied in the 1990s under the term 'mobbing' in Scandinavian psychology, it became a recognized workplace issue globally, often addressed in anti-harassment policies.