Disturbing new research indicates workplace bullying is becoming increasingly prevalent across Britain, with employees seeking professional therapy to cope with unsustainable work environments and difficult managers.
The Rising Tide of Workplace Distress
A survey of nearly 3,000 accredited therapists conducted by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has revealed that 41% have noticed an increase in clients discussing workplace bullying issues. The findings, shared exclusively with Metro, come ahead of the BACP's annual Mindometer Report publication on November 13.
According to BACP-accredited therapist Jodie McCormack, the nature of office bullying has transformed from obvious schoolyard-style taunting to more subtle behaviours that leave victims with what experts describe as a 'sustained feeling of discomfort, anxiousness or dread'.
The Insidious New Face of Workplace Bullying
McCormack explains that managers and bosses are frequently the perpetrators, allowing their own deadline pressures to trickle down to their teams. 'Everyone seems to be under an increasing amount of pressure,' she notes. 'Managers feel the strain of their own workloads and this is filtered down to employees who are expected to complete a lot in a short amount of time whilst feeling undervalued and unsupported.'
The manifestations of this modern bullying are particularly difficult to address. Clients report being systematically excluded from important meetings, decisions, and social activities, while others face:
- Unrealistic workloads with no support
- Being spoken to in a demeaning manner
- Threats of job loss
- Being blocked from promotion opportunities
Perhaps most concerning is that many who report bullying find their concerns dismissed as mere 'management style' or 'banter' by senior staff. The problem extends beyond traditional working hours, with some employees feeling harassed by communications received via private messages after work.
Understanding Your Rights and Seeking Support
While there's no legal definition of bullying, ACAS (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) describes it as 'unwanted behaviour from a person or group' that is offensive, intimidating, malicious, insulting, or represents an abuse of power. Harassment, which is legally defined under the Equality Act 2010, relates specifically to protected characteristics including age, disability, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation.
Workplace counsellor Pallvi Davé observes that while both men and women experience bullying, they often describe it differently. 'In my experience, women tend to name it explicitly, while men bring it to therapy in terms such as burnout or stress.' This linguistic difference may explain why stress and burnout have become common descriptors for bullying experiences.
Therapists recommend several steps for those experiencing workplace bullying:
- Acknowledge the behaviour to yourself first
- Familiarise yourself with workplace policies and rights
- Keep a dated written record of incidents and witnesses
- Speak out and seek support from union representatives
- Consider confiding in friends, family, or professional therapists
Jodie McCormack emphasises that while addressing bullying can feel frightening, 'an early conversation can go a long way to resolving any issues'. She encourages victims to contact their Union Representative for guidance through both informal and formal complaint processes.
The research highlights that workplace bullying is no longer confined to obvious confrontations but has evolved into a more complex, psychologically damaging phenomenon affecting employees across the UK.
