Workplace abuse is an omnipresent issue that can leave a permanent scar on those who have suffered from it. It is something that stays with the victim forever, deeply etched into their being, affecting their lives, welfare, and possibly even their performance at their jobs.
Workplace harassment covers multiple offenses such as malicious behavior, physical or verbal abuse, discriminatory behavior, sexual harassment, or bullying. This, in turn, promotes a negative and hostile work environment. When your work environment is infested and riddled with harassment, feeling helpless and demotivated is expected.
Workplace harassment is more common than we think it is. According to a survey conducted by the International Labor Organization in 2022, abuse in a workplace setting affects more than one out of five people.
Let’s take a look at how workplace harassment negatively impacts the various aspects of an employee’s life. On the surface – or at least, what concerns employers the most is that – only the employee’s productivity takes the backseat. However, the consequences of abuse in a professional setting run deeper than that. They go beyond the scope of how an employee performs at their job; for it affects the individual on a deeper, more personal level.
Emotional Toll: Workplace harassment can leave an everlasting impact on its victims, severely affecting their emotional well-being. It can take a toll on their mental health, instigating feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem. Victims may feel shame and embarrassment, and often blame themselves for landing in such situations. In severe cases, it can lead to depression.
When you’re constantly grappling with the fear of encountering your harasser – and dealing with them as well, stress and anxiety levels are expected to reach an all-time high. This takes away the employee’s concentration and focus, thus making it difficult for them to perform their job. This inability to do their job further contributes to their emotional distress.
Psychological Trauma: As is the case with most forms of abuse, workplace harassment can lead to psychological trauma. Similar to other forms of trauma, this may last long after the harassment has come to an end.
Being belittled, degraded, targeted, and physically or sexually harassed can permanently damage a person’s sense of security. They no longer feel safe at their job, creating feelings of alienation and disillusionment.
It can even result in victims suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is where they begin to relive what they went through in the form of flashbacks and nightmares. Their trauma deeply affects their ability to function properly in their day-to-day life. It also has a detrimental impact on their job performance.
Impact on Their Physical Health: Being harassed at your workplace can cause stress and anxiety levels to pique. The victim may feel trapped because leaving the job is usually their only escape plan. Quitting the job isn’t always feasible for most employees, and therefore, they have to face abuse shift after shift.
Living with such pressure will likely have a negative impact on the victim’s physical wellbeing. Short-term effects can include headaches or an upset stomach. This stress disturbs the victim’s sleep cycle. Chronic stress weakens the immune system. It is also known to increase hypertension and risks of cardiovascular diseases, among other health conditions. This can create a long-lasting effect on the person’s health.
These implications not only impact the victim as an employee but also damage the well-being of the person. It is hard to recover and go back from most of these issues.
Professional Consequences: Workplace harassment can have significant professional consequences for victims. Victims feel demotivated and demoralized; they are disenchanted with the management that fails to protect them, and begin to question their job and organization. It adversely affects their performance, resulting in low productivity and poor quality of work. Consequently, their engagement level at work drops and they no longer feel motivated or compelled to come to work. This is dangerous because not only does it harm the chances of the person’s career advancement and the potential they have, it can impact their overall professional trajectory.
Sometimes, even the most talented and skilled people will leave their jobs, even switching to a lower-wage option. In extreme cases, employees change their chosen career field altogether, hoping that the next job provides for a better and more safe work environment. In this unnecessary battle, organizations can lose talent, and victims can lose their willingness to work.
While it is true that harassment can tear the very fabric of work culture, breed mistrust, and fear, and stunt the growth and productivity of the organization, we must not forget that it impacts the well-being of the individual and affects their personality as a whole. Workplace abuse not only impacts the employees, but it is also harmful to employers, organizations, and society as a whole.
Employers need to be vigilant when implementing rules and policies that protect employees. They must remember their duty to their workforce and do everything that they can to safeguard their rights. They must take proactive steps to look after their employees’ physical and mental well-being. By doing so, they can help build a workplace that is fair and values and empowers its employees to succeed. This will bring about a much-needed change.
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