Having a boss or supervisor who constantly yells or curses at you is engaging in psychological workplace bullying. The employee who is on the receiving end of this abuse usually does not feel the physical pain as if he or she were assaulted by their boss. But the pain is still real, nonetheless.
Psychological harassment occurs just as frequently as sexual harassment, but it is not as frequently reported. That is because, when the employee is being abused by the superior, he or she believes that their superior is right and they are the problem. As a result, the worker does not believe they are the victim in this situation.
The most obvious signs of this form of bullying include being threatened with your job, being criticized routinely in front of co-workers and/or other supervisors and other forms of verbal abuse. However, some other signs are not so subtle: your superior may create an “inner circle” consisting of other workers and team leaders and disparage you and your job performance in front of the group; you may be assigned a disproportionate amount of work compared to your colleagues, then be blamed for not finishing your work on time; and your boss might hold a meeting without inviting you. Bosses may also sabotage the employee’s work and spread rumors about the employee.
Some of the symptoms workers experience as a result of this abuse include fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, which leads to mental and physical illness. As a result of their illness, they will miss more days of work. What makes it more difficult for the victim is the inability to fight back because he or she do not understand what caused these problems in the first place.
The workspace should be a safe space for all employees. If you have been a victim of harassment — psychological or otherwise — contact an experienced New York employment law attorney who can ensure that your rights are protected. The attorneys at The Law Office of Steven Mitchell Sack are available to meet with you for a consultation today. Call (917) 371-8000 for an initial consultation or fill out our contact form.
