15, Nov, 2024

Workplace Cyberbullying: What It Is and How to Identify It

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When we think of cyberbullying, we often picture schoolyard conflicts spilling over into the digital world. However, cyberbullying doesn’t end with adolescence—it’s increasingly making its way into workplaces, causing stress, isolation, and harm to employees’ mental well-being.

Here’s what you need to know about workplace cyberbullying and how to spot it:

What Is Workplace Cyberbullying?

Workplace cyberbullying refers to harmful behaviors conducted through digital platforms like emails, group chats, or social media. These actions are often targeted, repeated, and meant to undermine or intimidate individuals.

Common examples include:

  • Passive-aggressive messages or sarcasm in emails.
  • Exclusion from group chats, meetings, or collaborative projects.
  • Publicly shaming someone for mistakes.
  • Spreading rumours or sharing private information online.

These behaviours can create an unhealthy work environment, leaving employees feeling anxious, undervalued, and disconnected.

How to Differentiate Bullying from Teasing

It’s essential to distinguish between harmless teasing and bullying:

  • Teasing: Lighthearted and mutual, without intent to harm.
  • Bullying: Intentional, repeated actions designed to intimidate, embarrass, or isolate someone.

For example, joking about a missed deadline might be teasing. However, consistently pointing out someone’s mistakes in a public forum crosses into bullying.

How to Identify Workplace Cyberbullying

Recognizing the signs is the first step to addressing it:

  1. Patterns of Exclusion: Being left out of meetings or discussions without reason.
  2. Negativity in Communication: Passive-aggressive or overly critical comments.
  3. Public Humiliation: Being called out or mocked in group chats or emails.
  4. Online Gossip: Spreading rumours or private details online to harm someone’s reputation.

If you notice repeated behaviours that cause stress, anxiety, or a toxic atmosphere, it’s likely workplace cyberbullying.

Take the First Step

Understanding what workplace cyberbullying looks like is crucial for addressing it effectively. By fostering awareness and open communication, organisations can create safer, more respectful digital spaces where everyone can thrive.

Let’s work together to make the workplace a bully-free zone—online and offline.

Want to learn more? Follow along this month as we share insights and strategies to tackle workplace cyberbullying.


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