PETALING JAYA: Workplace bullying is a widespread phenomenon that contributes to mental health issues, experts say.
Unfortunately, it is common everywhere, even in other countries, said Dr Saw Jo Anne from the Department of Psychiatry of Universiti Teknologi Mara.
Dealing with harassment and bullying at the workplace over a long period may eventually lead the victims to feel helpless, isolated or worthless, she said.
“As for its prevalence, studies suggest that workplace bullying is quite common.
“Research indicates that a significant percentage of employees have experienced bullying at some point in their careers,” she added.
Dr Saw said workplace bullying could be manifested in several ways and occur between colleagues or among superiors.
“For instance, verbal abuse includes yelling, insults, name-calling or derogatory comments. It is aimed at undermining an employee’s confidence.
“On the other end, incidents of undermining work can be seen by withholding necessary information or setting someone up for failure by assigning unrealistic tasks, providing harsh feedback without constructive guidance and embarrassing a colleague in meetings or public communication.
“Making the situation worse, gossip or malicious rumours can damage a person’s reputation and create a toxic work environment.”
The founder of mental health service provider Relate Malaysia, Dr Chua Sook Ning, said workplace bullying had been widely recognised as a contributor to mental health issues.
“A meta-analysis in 2015 found that workplace bullying leads to symptoms of depression, anxiety and other stress-related psychological issues, for example, burnout.”
And such feelings are common among those who begin to develop suicidal ideation, said Malaysian Psychiatric Association past president Dr Hazli Zakaria.
“Most of the time, (people with suicidal ideation) are at their most vulnerable, feeling hopeless and helpless.
“(They) believe they are a burden and there is no more reason for living. They feel also alone and disconnected,” he said.
While impulsivity has sometimes been linked to suicide attempts, the majority of cases presented underlying psychological issues and mental illnesses which can be prevented or treated, he added.
Dr Saw said counselling services remained crucial in every organisation to facilitate professional support for employees to develop coping strategies.
“It is important to seek professional or medical help for further management when wellbeing is affected.
“Findings suggest that being bullied at work may also cause serious consequences and risk of developing mental illness.”
