The Global Financial Crisis is being blamed as the cause of an increase in workplace bullying in Australia since the wake of the recession.
According to high performance coach and strategic workplace management expert, Tony Wilson, Australians are still suffering emotionally from the recent Global Financial Crisis, with the stress of the recession aftermath impacting how workers manage their emotions, with this leading to an increase in workplace bullying.
“It seems that many Australian workers are suffering a general decline in well-being and a dramatic increase in stress – leading to an increase in frustration, anxiety, anger, and of course, bullying,” Tony says.
The Australian Human Rights Commission estimates the cost of workplace bullying to the Australian economy as anywhere from $6 – $36 billion a year. The damages to a workplace by far exceed the financial losses, with bullying ultimately sabotaging the core values of an organisation – essentially leading to decreased productivity, high staff turnover and an erosion of trust.
“Bullying – among other things – can cause an individual to suffer severe anxiety, stress, fear, lack of concentration and depression, with the overall workplace suffering irrevocable consequences as a result,” Tony says.
“Most managers who have been prone to bullying and command-control styles of leadership in the past are gaining a greater awareness of emotional and social intelligence, and how best to use these to manage more effectively,” Tony says.
“The main driver of bullying is our innate desire for an increase – or perceived increase – in status,” Tony says.
While bullying has always existed in the workplace, there is now a greater awareness of the issue due to the GFC, prompting managers to use strategic management and facilitation processes to appropriately handle bullying within their organisation.
“Bullying is a serious issue that attacks the very core values of an organisation, and needs to be dealt with appropriately – without exceptions,” he says.
