Recognising and identifying bullying

Do you think that you or one of your colleagues may be bullied? There are several ways to recognise bullying behaviour in the workplace. Often the victim shows certain warning signals. These can be seemingly harmless behaviours that indicate that the person is stressed, such as tics, absence, or nervousness.

However, stress caused by bullying can also lead to frequent illness, stomach complaints, or self-harm. The victim may also try to avoid social contact with colleagues. This can often be seen in behaviours such as eating lunch alone, spending a long time in the restroom, or leaving quickly after working hours.

The bully often lacks a sense of guilt because, in their view, the victim “deserves it.” If you notice that colleagues have conflicts without any attempt at reconciliation or rapprochement afterwards, there may be bullying in the workplace.

Bullying does not only manifest itself through verbal aggression, but also through physical aggression or a combination of both. Physical aggression is usually easier to recognise than verbal aggression. If you notice aggression or violence between colleagues, read more about that topic here.