The Hidden Reality of Workplace Bullying

Bullying Doesn’t Stop at School

Bullying isn’t just a schoolyard problem—it follows us into the workplace. Much like an abusive relationship, the only way bullying thrives is if you stay silent or tolerate it. If your company has high turnover rates or people are flocking out the door, it could be a sign that toxic behaviour is happening under your roof. Leaders and managers—this one’s for you. If you’re wondering why your team is disengaged, you might want to look at how bullying is being handled—or not handled.

This post brings you real stories from over 2,000 professionals on LinkedIn, including HR managers, directors, coaches and everyday employees, who have dealt with bullying at work. Let’s dive in and understand why bullying happens and how we can start addressing it.

What is Workplace Bullying?

There’s no legal definition of bullying, but we can break it down:

Workplace bullying is when someone (or a group of people) repeatedly treats another person unfairly or badly at work. It goes beyond being rude—it’s behaviour that’s completely inappropriate in a professional environment. This can look like manipulation, intimidation, micromanagement, or outright aggression.

Real Stories: People Who’ve Been Bullied at Work

After scanning through over two thousand LinkedIn comments, here are real stories.

“I Had to Leave for My Mental Health”

One individual shared that they worked in a toxic environment where their feelings were dismissed with comments like “you’re just being sensitive” or “stay professional.” But the bullying didn’t stop—it got worse. Eventually, for their mental health, they left. Now, as a director, they’re committed to stamping out bullying in their own company.

“I Was Told I Don’t Speak English”

Another professional moved to a new state, only to face demeaning comments from a high-ranking manager on their very first day. This person was constantly belittled, and it was one of the toughest work experiences of their life. But instead of letting it break them, they grew stronger, learned to stand up for themselves, and kept going.

“I Had to Leave After 2 Decades”

A financial professional shared how they endured bullying from one colleague for years. The behaviour was subtle at first, but eventually, it escalated to exclusion and lies. When they stood up for themselves, they were made to feel uncomfortable and unsupported, and they eventually left. They believe the workplace should be a space where people come together, collaborate, and cheer each other on—not tear each other down.

Signs of Bullying in the Workplace

Bullying isn’t always obvious. It often hides behind “professional” facades. Here are some signs to watch for:

• Yelling or shouting at employees
• Disrespectful behaviour from people who should know better
• Gossiping or undermining others
• Micromanagement and excessive control
• Exclusion or creating cliques
• Threats or passive-aggressive behaviour

If you notice these behaviours, they might be signs of a toxic work culture that’s allowing bullying to flourish.

Impact of Workplace Bullying

The effects of bullying at work can be severe:

• Mental health problems like anxiety and depression
• Lower job performance and disengagement
• Higher turnover rates and lost productivity
• Reduced morale and poor team collaboration
• Quiet quitting—when employees mentally check out

Here are real quotes from people themselves. Some may be slightly edited for grammar.

“I had a manager like this once. I’ve never had anyone break my spirit like that person, and never understood the purpose of that kind of behaviour. I’ve never felt so abandoned by leadership as I did under that person.”

“Bullies are cancers but there always protected by upper management which is super sad. I’m currently going through this at my workplace, which has made my anxiety worse.”

“I just ran into a client who quit because of a bully manager. It blew me away the change in his demeanour. He was always very dry and a bit aloof. Barely engaging. After he quit, he spotted me out at a coffee shop and he came running to greet me and shake my hand. He was so happy and had such a funny personality. It was like talking to two different people. We even hugged at the end. It was so clear to me that it’s true what they say about the impact a manager has on his employees and how devastating it is for our development to work under little Napoleons.”

“I recently experienced workplace bullying after I spoke up about the safety of the employees. In retaliation after never being written up, and performing my job well, I was given a final warning if I did anything wrong in the next 30 days I would be terminated. I resigned that day.”

“So true. One of those office bullies got to be my husband’s boss and proceeded to destroy his spirit. He suffers from PTSD now and will never be the same. He has become disabled because of it and I miss my sweet, fun-loving, and adventurous hubby.”

So as you can see, when employees feel threatened or unsafe, it takes a massive toll on their well-being and the company’s bottom line. But if this is clearly bad, why does it happen? This next section may give some clues.

Why Does Workplace Bullying Happen?

Bullying often continues because:

1. Managers and senior leaders don’t address the problem.
2. Insecure employees bully others to feel better about themselves.
3. Lack of accountability—sometimes HR or leadership turns a blind eye.
4. Power dynamics—bullies often target those they perceive as weaker.

One employee shared that their toxic manager was allowed to stay in their position, even though their behaviour negatively impacted the team. It wasn’t until the team banded together and went to the union that the manager was eventually removed.

Here are some comments that support these points. Some have been edited for grammar.

“I have had three of these… they all shared something in common and I now see they were very insecure and intimidated by my confidence and good nature. I will remember this and tell my younger colleagues when they have a similar issue.”

“So true! These bullies feel threatened by staff who know the job more than they do. They push, gaslight and threaten until you leave.”

“Bullies in your workplace are allowed to be there by senior management. It is a cultural thing. Report it but don’t be surprised if nothing happens. Be prepared to move on.”

“HR only protects the employer from lawsuits. Nobody cares about the victim. Assisting the victim in any way results in that person being bullied. No good deed goes unpunished. If a worker does good, that person gets punished with bullying. Filing a grievance results in more bullying because HR is in collusion with the bullies which is why the bullies do it. HR will bully by proxy to blame the victim and coddle the bully.”

“I think we all knew this already? The workplace can be a great environment for people with low self-esteem to whittle away at others. I’d like to think that by now there are robust procedures in place in every workplace to deal with this. Including identifying actual persistent bullying as opposed to malicious allegations of it.”

“The battle with bullies never ends! Individuals lacking in empathy and suffering from certain personality disorders (NPD being one of note) are unfortunately quite effective at achieving their personal goals according to research, hence it requires quite a bit of organizational intelligence to identify and manage individuals who are both very effective AND damaging to the organization at the same time.”

“Becoming common though and the sad thing is employees are very silent about it because they are scared to lose their current jobs.”

“They are also looking to get rid of people they feel aren’t strong employees. Bullies come in a variety of characters. Be strong be smart listen well.”

How to Fix It: If You’re Experiencing Bullying

1. Speak up: Address the behaviour directly if possible, and let the person know it’s not acceptable.
2. Document everything: Keep a record of any incidents of bullying for reference.
3. Reach out for support: Talk to HR, a mentor, or a trusted colleague for help.
4. Know when to walk away: If the situation doesn’t improve and your mental health is suffering, it might be time to find a new job.

How to Help if You Witness Bullying

If you see someone being bullied at work, don’t stay silent.

• Stand up for them: Let the bully know their behaviour isn’t acceptable.
• Support the victim: Show empathy and let them know you’ve got their back.
• Report it: If you can, report the behaviour to HR or management so they can intervene.

Are You a Bully?

Sometimes, the problem is within ourselves. If you realize you’ve been bullying others—intentionally or not—it’s time to check your behaviour and make a change. Recognizing the issue is the first step toward improving and creating a better, more supportive workplace. If you’re a manager and recognise some of these harmful behaviours in yourself, try a people management training course to help steer you in the right direction. And even if not, this people management training course backed by Sticky Learning is a great step to becoming the manager you want to be.

Conclusion: Creating a Healthier Workplace

Workplace bullying is more common than many realize, and it’s costing companies in terms of productivity, morale, and even employee retention. If you’re a manager or leader, it’s on you to take a stand against toxic behaviour. Employees deserve a safe, respectful environment where they can thrive. If you’re experiencing bullying, don’t stay silent. Stand up for yourself, seek support, and know you’re not alone. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

Author Bio:

Mackaina wears many hats, excelling as the webmaster for MBM, a dedicated virtual assistant, a versatile transcriber, and a part-time student pursuing Business Administration with a major in Finance. With a knack for balancing diverse responsibilities and clients, she brings firsthand expertise in time management and productivity. Continuously expanding her skill set, Mackaina actively seeks out new knowledge in areas such as technical SEO, online marketing, and digital arts, ensuring she remains at the forefront of her field. Check out her reviews and connect with her on Fiverr.