The stereotypical workplace bully is the aggressive boss demeaning a quiet team member. But bullying is ultimately about power, and positional authority is only one power source. According to the Workplace Bullying Institute (WBI), 14 % of all workplace bullying in the U.S. is upward, or bullying of managers by subordinates.
What to Do When a Direct Report Is Bullying You
How to protect your career — and your mental health.
December 08, 2022
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Summary.
Bullying in the workplace can take many forms and come from many directions, including “upward” — that is, bullying of managers by people who report to them. Upward bullying often starts with covert behaviors such as withholding information and subtle gaslighting. After eroding some of the bullied supervisor’s legitimate authority and psychological resources, bullies escalate to spreading rumors, circumventing, and insubordination, further undermining the target’s position and well-being. Typically, bullying by subordinates is enabled by support from the management one or more levels above the targeted supervisor. The authors present several strategies for targeted managers to protect their mental health, their unit’s productivity, and their career, plus strategies for bullying targets’ managers.