What to remove from the work environment: the sick worker or the cause of his sickness? Workplace bullying, a form of violence that causes sickness.: doi: 10.7417/CT.2023.2538

Abstract

Although there are many different definitions of workplace bullying in the scientific literature, it can be defined as a form of psychological and relational violence conducted systematically and continuously by one or more individuals, towards another individual, with the aim of causing him physical and mental harm and exclude him from the workplace. The elements common to all definitions are the work context, the duration for at least six months, the frequency of bullying actions, which must occur at least once a week, the evolution in phases and the power differential between aggressor and victim.

The purpose of this article is not only to provide the most important definitions of workplace bullying and to identify the common elements, but also to report the most recent findings concerning gender and personality differences of both victim and aggressor, to report the most investigated professional sectors, to describe the causes and the consequences on both the worker and the organization and to present the legislative framework.

Workplace bullying can be considered an emerging public health problem that requires preventive interventions. Secondary and tertiary prevention interventions are important, but the aim is to prevent the phenomenon when it has not yet developed. Primary prevention interventions promote a healthy work environment that reduces the development of work-related violence, including workplace bullying.