Mobbing: psychological harassment at work

The "mobbing"Or psychological harassment at work It is a situation that occurs at work, in which an individual or several, exercise psychological violence in a systematic way and repeated (at least once a week) on another individual or individuals, over a prolonged period of time (at least 6 months).

This causes the victim's communication networks and reputation to be destroyed, and causes disturbance in the performance of their work and their demotivation at work.

Mobbing: psychological harassment at work

The actors of the mobbing can be co-workers, superiors or subordinates, and this behavior can affect workers of any type of organization, even small and medium businesses.

The characteristics of mobbing

The methodology used by the actors in charge of mobbing in the company can be varied. For example, spreading rumors to favor the marginalization of the victim (even outside of work) and to make life difficult for you within the organization; or bullying and put-downs in front of other employees. Whatever behavior is carried out, the result is psychological and emotional damage to the victim.

Victims are often the most creative, ethical, and competent people in the workplace. These individuals suffer mobbing because the harasser may consider them a threat to her own position within the community. business. Supervisors can also be victims of mobbing. In these cases, subordinates act together to undermine you. Women, younger workers and those with the longest lives are at high risk of mobbing. Mobbing is increasing in sectors such as services, health and education.

The psychological impact on victims of mobbing

Mobbing can have a devastating effect on the morale and performance of victims, and causes intense discomfort. Below are the consequences of mobbing for those who suffer from it:

• Deterioration of self-esteem and self-confidence, both personally and at work
• Feelings of guilt
• Insomnia
• Hypervigilance
• Fatigue
• Personality changes
• Concentration difficulties irritability
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Recurring memories and dreams of traumatic events
• Feeling of reliving the traumatic experience, hallucinations, flashbacks ...
• Severe discomfort when starting a new job
• Reduced interest in daily, social or leisure activities
• Feeling of detachment from others and restriction of emotions and affective life
• Pessimism
• Feelings of failure and frustration

Physical impact on victims of workplace bullying

Mobbing does not include collective physical harassment of the worker who is the victim. Instead, it focuses on disturbing your inner life. But the emotional toll is so great that it can have physical consequences, as it can cause stress, and therefore their physical symptoms. For example, headaches, gastrointestinal problems, hypertension, etc.

What to do in case of mobbing?

In case of mobbing it is essential to take action as soon as possible, since the psychological damage can be increased as time goes by. Since mobbing is a phenomenon that takes place within the company, it is important to report it if the harasser continues to insist on causing harm. In case of mobbing, it is necessary not only to have legal support, but also psychological.

First and foremost, it is necessary communicate to the occupational risk prevention department or to the superior to have knowledge of the case. If you are being bullied, this should be your first move.

Due to the complexity of these events, support can be requested from trade union organizations, the Health and Safety Committee of the company, and the situation can be reported to the Labor Inspectorate as a step prior to the prosecution of the case.

Once these routes are exhausted, and if mobbing continues to exist, then it will be necessary to report. It is important to be clear that it is difficult to collect evidence for different reasons (there is no physical evidence, there is no written evidence or colleagues do not commit to fear of retaliation), but the complaint of harassment is proven through any of the means admitted by law, be it confession, documents, witnesses, experts, etc. Therefore, it will be necessary to gather documents, medical reports, and seek witnesses.

Psychological support in cases of mobbing

Due to the psychological and emotional damage suffered by the victim, on many occasions it is necessary to go to a psychologist to regain well-being. Not every professional is accredited to carry out this problem, as it is necessary to go to a professional specialized in psychological and occupational health problems (not a doctor). That is, the symptoms should not be treated only (such as acting on anxiety or depression), but the phenomenon must be understood in its entirety.

It is common for this type of case to misdiagnosis and end up using incorrect treatment strategies (for example, only treating stress or anxiety with drugs). This usually happens when you go to the family doctor instead of an expert psychologist. Unfortunately, this is more common than people may think.