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Today we are addressing a topic that has been prevalent from grade school to the workplace. Bullying is an issue that we all hear about and sometimes are a victim of. Normally we hear these stories from students, however, bullying is not limited to youth alone. Bullying in the workplace is and issue that is often ignored. We are going to look a little at why bullying happens and how to diffuse these situations.

Workplace bullying is one of the most disruptive occurrences in the workplace. It leaves an emotional and physical toll on the victim, which reflects in poor growth and productivity within the company. Why do we find bullying in the workplace? The mindset of the bully is held in this idea of self preservation. We find ourselves caught between good and evil, and bullies tend to choose one side over the other. We see that bullies often lack the knowledge and people skills that are valued by the organization. The social skills and abilities needed to work with others can be lacking within the bully, which can cause friction.

Workplace bullying has a detrimental effect on an organization. Ignoring the situation has the power to break a company down from the inside out. It is incredibly important for organizations to recognize the signs of workplace bullying. Acknowledging the issue and working to end workplace bullying creates a better workplace climate. The aftermath of bullying not only has economic and social effects on the organization, but also emotional and psychological consequences. We need to be mindful of the social climate within an organization and learn to foster the best in people.