Working life is not only an economic necessity for employees in many positions and sectors but also a part of our social life. However, in some cases, work environments may fail to make individuals feel competent, valuable, and safe. Over time, these environments can host psychological pressure that causes wearing effects on employees. Studies show that 30–40% of employees in Turkey are exposed to psychological pressure at work. When situations such as exclusion, feeling inadequate, being ignored, and being blamed continue systematically in the workplace, this pressure turns into a form of violence. This type of violence is called mobbing. This silent violence, which has become widespread in modern working life, deeply affects a person’s psychological, physiological, and social life. This article will explain the definition, types, effects, and coping methods of mobbing.
What is Mobbing?
The term “mobbing” was first used in the 1980s by Swedish doctor and psychologist Heinz Leymann. The concept was introduced to understand psychological pressure and harassment in workplaces. According to Leymann’s definition, mobbing is systematic and repeated psychological pressure on an individual in the workplace. It involves a worker being subjected to intentional and systematic psychological pressure at least once a week for a minimum of six months.
Types of Mobbing
Mobbing does not occur in only one form. Sometimes it occurs among employees of the same position, while other times it is shaped according to hierarchical structure. Accordingly, mobbing is divided into three main types:
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Horizontal Mobbing: This type involves psychological pressure between employees at the same level. The causes are generally competition and jealousy in work life, exclusion, gossip, or intra-group conflicts. In horizontal mobbing, the person is systematically subjected to psychological pressure by their colleagues.
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Vertical Mobbing: Vertical mobbing is a hierarchical psychological pressure that occurs between lower and higher positions. It is the most common type of mobbing. In this type, the higher-ranking employee systematically and continuously suppresses the lower-ranking employee. Behaviors such as belittling, excessive criticism, and assigning excessive workloads are frequently observed.
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Reverse Mobbing: This is less common compared to other types. In this case, lower-level employees collectively exert psychological pressure on their superior or manager. This type of mobbing is seen in organizations where authority is weak. As a result, the senior employee may be isolated, their reputation damaged, and respect boundaries violated.
Effects of Mobbing
Being subjected to continuous pressure at work causes harm in many ways. This affects not only psychological health but also physical health and social life.
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Psychological Effects: Mobbing plays a significant role in psychological health. Constantly feeling inadequate and worthless at work leads to anxiety, depression, and intense stress symptoms over time. Feeling inadequate causes hopelessness regarding self-identity, self-confidence, and self-esteem. Prolonged exposure to mobbing can lead to serious psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), burnout syndrome, severe depression, and panic attacks.
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Physiological Effects: The physical effects of mobbing are also multifaceted. Individuals exposed to this bullying often show many psychosomatic symptoms such as sleep disorders, heart palpitations, and gastrointestinal problems. Prolonged continuation of these symptoms seriously threatens the individual’s health.
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Effects on Social Life: The effects of mobbing are not limited to the workplace; they also appear in a person’s social life. The person gradually withdraws from social life and becomes isolated. Tensions may occur in family and friendship relationships.
Mobbing is not only a problem experienced in the workplace but also a significant issue threatening an individual’s mental, physical, and social health.
Coping with Mobbing
Methods to cope with mobbing include both individual and institutional supports.
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Awareness: According to Leymann, the first step in fighting psychological pressure is to be aware of the situation. Being conscious of the continuity and extent of the exposure helps develop effective coping strategies.
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Psychological Support: Receiving professional psychological support is very important for dealing with the psychological effects of the experiences. This is necessary to protect individuals’ mental health.
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Institutional Support: Reporting the incidents within the organization to employers or human resources departments facilitates finding a solution. If this support is insufficient, legal authorities can be approached.
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Legal Process: Systematic documentation of incidents with written, visual, or witness statements, filing a mobbing lawsuit, and following the legal process are important.
Mobbing is a silent form of workplace violence that goes unnoticed in modern working life. This silent violence affects not only a person’s mental and physical health but also their social life. It is crucial for those exposed to mobbing to recognize their situation and seek support, as this plays a critical role in the coping process. Fighting mobbing is not only an individual issue but also a societal problem.