Cyberbullying at work worse than at school, study shows

Cyberbullying does not only take place at school, it also takes place at work —and the workplace bullying appears to be worse, a new study shows.

 

The bullying is worse at the workplace, where online communications technologies play a very key role, Discovery News reported.

 

"Of the 320 people who responded to the survey, about eight out of 10 had experienced cyberbullying behaviors on at least one occasion in the previous six months. Those behaviors include being humiliated, ignored or gossiped about," it said.

 

It said the researchers looked at three surveys of employees at universities in the United Kingdom.

 

The results also showed 14 to 20 percent experienced such bullying at least once a week, "not unlike what kids get at schools off-line."

 

According to the researchers, bullying at work can hurt job satisfaction and increase mental strain.

 

On the other hand, the report said the online nature of the bullies may also affect the reporting of such behavior.

 

"The study found that people who witnessed online bullying seemed to suffer fewer ill effects than those who saw it in the 'real world.' That may make them less likely to tell anyone about it," it said.

 

Dr. Christine Sprigg, Dr. Carolyn Axtell and Sam Farley of the University of Sheffield, together with Dr. Iain Coyne of Nottingham University, are to unveil their work at a seminar during the Economic and Social Research Council's (ESRC) annual Festival of Social Science this week, Discovery News added. — TJD, GMA News