Subtle Signs of Workplace Bullying to Take Note of While Building a Civil Workplace

by Dec 10, 2015

It was reported that one out of four employees is affected by workplace bullying which threatens civility at work. Furthermore, there is also a misconception that bullying is always overt, as there are times and situations where bullying behavior can be subtle, slow, and insidious which, most of the time, goes off undetected.

The problem with bullying is that the perpetrator has the intention to control the target’s behavior usually for personal gains, agenda, or self-serving motives. They often use a variety of subtle and not so subtle ways to control others emotionally, psychologically, and even physically. And an organization should be aware of the negative impacts of bullying and must think of workplace bullying solutions immediately.

In building a civil workplace, it is essential to take note of subtle signs of bullying in order to prevent such issue from ever happening. These subtle signs include deceit, intimidation, isolation, ignoring, rationalization, minimization, diversion, guilt, undermining, mood swings, blaming, and seduction. Some even pit employees against each other, withhold information, changing expectations, or create a feeling of uselessness. Identifying these subtle signs would be essential in drafting an anti-bullying corporate policy or laying down several workplace bullying prevention programs.

To learn more, click here for full article.

Incivility, bullying, and harassment occur because the culture allows them to. Before starting inclusivity initiatives, you’ve got to stop bad behavior. Take this assessment to determine if your workplace fosters a positive culture.

 

Catherine

About Catherine Mattice

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500s to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author, and blogger and has 60+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. Her fourth book, Navigating Toxic Work Environments For Dummies (Wiley), is available in all major bookstores and where audiobooks are sold.

Gallup 2026: Disengagement Hits COVID Levels & What to Do About It

According to Gallup’s 2026 Report, global levels of engagement now match the level we hit in 2020, when only 20% of the global workforce was engaged at work. And that drop “cost the world economy approximately $10 trillion in lost productivity, or 9% of GDP.” Gallup...

3 Reasons Gen Z Is Ghosting Employers and How to Fix It

Search “Gen Z in the workplace” and you’ll find plenty of complaints. You’ll find results like, "They're entitled," "They don’t want to work," "They quit too quickly," "They won’t pick up the phone," and “They accept interviews and don’t show up." Some even accept job...

Do You Want to Share Your Expertise With Civility Partners’ Audience?

Do you have a perspective, idea, or area of expertise that HR professionals and leaders need to hear? We’re opening guest opportunities for professionals who can bring fresh thinking and practical value to the Civility Partners community. There are two ways to join...

AI Could Kill Humans in the Next Decade?? Leaders, Here Are 4 Things You Can Do Now

There are headlines you read, shake your head at, and move on from. Then there are headlines like this one: AI could kill all humans within the next decade. It sounds like the plot of a sci-fi movie. Some of the people raising these concerns are building the...

Why Are People So Sensitive? 4 Things Have Changed at Work

“Why is everyone so sensitive these days?” I hear some version of this all the time. Employees are offended by everything. Managers can’t say anything anymore. People need constant reassurance. Nobody can take a joke. Everyone has to walk on eggshells. And usually,...

How to Deal With an Angry Boss in 4 Steps

A few years ago, we published “Three More Brilliant Tips for Dealing with an Angry Boss,” and it continues to get a surprising amount of attention. Apparently, angry bosses aren't going out of style. So we figured it was time for an update - not because you need five...

3 Signs Toxic Leaders Have No Idea They’re Toxic

Wait… before you come for me, hear me out. As a coach who specializes in working with leaders who engage in toxic behavior, I’ve noticed a pattern that might surprise you: toxic leaders aren’t always the villains we assume they are. I know. Stay with me. When you hear...

Wait… HR Made Workplace Bullying Worse?

You’ve got a lot on your plate. Employee relations, compliance, performance issues, culture, and the occasional grown adult who apparently needs to be reminded not to terrorize their coworkers. Making workplace bullying worse certainly isn’t supposed to be on the...

3 Culture Band-Aids That Create Bigger Organizational Risk (And What to Do Instead)

Netflix recently found itself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. According to a recently filed lawsuit, a Netflix executive participated in a company retreat that included a "vulnerability-trust exercise." During the exercise, he disclosed that he had...

Join our Workplace Intelligence Series + Office Hours

Every day, you are expected to solve increasingly complex workplace challenges. A bullying complaint lands on your desk. A high performer is damaging team morale. Burnout continues to climb despite your wellness initiatives. Managers struggle with difficult...