Mobbing is an English term. Means harassment of a co-worker or subordinate in the workplace. This is a relatively common phenomenon, which for some time, is actively combated by society.

Those responsible for mobbing are employees who are directly superior to those being mobbed, as well as persons in similar positions. The reasons for this behavior can be very different. Often he is driven by jealousy: about skills, better results at work, or closer contacts with the boss.

Intimidation, humiliation or ridicule in front of other employees often has serious consequences. These behaviors can lead from a decrease in self-esteem and mood of the employee, a decrease in efficiency at work. Mobbing can cause panic attacks, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, addictions, psychosomatic symptoms such as insomnia, migraine headaches, shortness of breath, chest pain, stomach ulcers, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, it is worth to prevent mobbing. Here’s some helpful information.

How to recognize mobbing?

Recognizing mobbing is not difficult. However, it is important to think carefully before making a charge. There are several behaviors that characterize mobbing and are easy to identify. You are subject to mobbing if: the results of your work are recognized as the merits of another person, other employees slander you, you are insulted and humiliated on the forum of the whole enterprise, you do not receive the information necessary for the effective performance of your duties, you receive scathing messages (sms, e-mails), your mistakes are constantly reprimanded, your skills are constantly questioned, your work is constantly controlled regardless of the quality of its results, your role in the company is belittled, work is sabotaged, you are excluded from meetings and staff meetings.

If one of the described situations occurs constantly, or very often, and not once, you are dealing with mobbing.

How to deal with mobbing?

While recognizing mobbing itself is not difficult, opposing it is a delicate issue, mainly because of the thought of losing a job. However, it is worth considering what is more important for our good. Here are some tips on how to act in a mobbing situation:

  • Find out what position your company has against mobbing. Gather information on whether there have been similar cases before and what has been done about them.
  • Don’t be provoked. If you’re being provocative, you’re doing exactly what mobber hopes you’re doing.
  • Stand up. Call mobber’s attention to the way he treats you. Try to be assertive and firm. Remember to never resort to aggression.
  • Go to your superior. If there is such a possibility just report mobbing.
  • Get some legal advice.
  • Collect evidence incriminating mobber. Remember or record witnesses of his behavior, document situations in which you feel that you are subject to mobbing.
  • Find Plan B. It would be good to just beat mobbing. However, sometimes this can be too difficult, especially if the company does not intend to support you in your actions. Therefore, it is important to have an emergency exit, preferably another job position.
  • Seek help from a professional, such as a psychologist, if mobbing has begun to affect your physical and mental health.
  • It may be beneficial to participate in psychological training on assertiveness and coping with stress.