Workplace bullying continues to be an insidious and unacceptable problem that impacts far too many. And now we know that bullying hurts your brain.
Literally.
In my article for Executive Support Magazine, Jen Fraser, PhD, helped me understand how the human brain is visibly harmed by chronic stress and cruelty caused by prolonged bullying and incivility.
None of this is ok. If you believe it is time to break the cycle of workplace bullying, please read this article and share it with others.
BULLYING AND THE EFFECT ON YOUR BRAIN
If bullying makes your head hurt, now we know why. According to Jennifer Fraser, PhD, author of The Bullied Brain, the human brain is visibly harmed by the chronic stress and often devasting cruelty caused by prolonged bullying and incivility. PTSD or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder can occur in both adults and children.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that the harm is not irreparable. The damage can be healed, but it requires a return to psychological safety and a commitment by leaders to a zero-tolerance policy on workplace bullying.
BUT WHY IS DAMAGING SOMEONE’S BRAIN AT WORK NORMALIZED?
Decades of scientific research document the physical harm to brains from all forms of bullying and abuse. The damage is visible on brain scans. Bullying is becoming a medical issue in the workplace, especially for assistants.
In my work training Executive Assistants all over the world, they report stories of colleagues who intimidate and create a hostile work environment through incivility. Workplace incivility is defined as “low-intensity deviant acts, such as rude, profane, and discourteous verbal and non-verbal behavior.” Incivility in the workplace can be subtle, yet destabilizing and distracting, which is part of the manipulation. All of it takes a toll on the brain.
THE DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF BULLYING ON AN ASSISTANT’S BRAIN CAN BE SEEN IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS
- Trouble thinking clearly
- Failure to understand social cues
- Difficulty thinking through a problem
- Poor behavior moderation, i.e. out of control or acting out
- Anxiety and depression
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Eating disorders and Substance abuse
- Headaches and Stomach aches
- Paralysis – Inability to act or speak
In my work training Executive Assistants all over the world, they report stories of colleagues who intimidate and create a hostile work environment through incivility. Workplace incivility is defined as “low-intensity deviant acts, such as rude, profane, and discourteous verbal and non-verbal behavior.” Incivility in the workplace can be subtle, yet destabilizing and distracting, which is part of the manipulation. All of it takes a toll on the brain.
FRASER EXPLAINS THAT THE HUMAN BRAIN’S TOP PRIORITY IS SURVIVAL AND IT WORKS TO FIND SAFETY.
A bullied brain is one that feels unsafe and dependent on others to acquire a sense of security which is critical to mental and physical health. In the workplace, the powerful prey on those who have less power, and bullying is about domination, control, coercion. Incivility and bullying do not enhance the bottom line.
Fraser says, “The more unsafe a brain feels, the less resources it can direct to problem-solving, connecting with others, creativity, and productivity. Instead, the brain’s resources go into assessing danger levels and surviving which includes bathing the brain and body in the stress hormone cortisol. Too much and too frequent influxes of cortisol can do significant damage to mental health and brain function.”
The data shows that brains are unique, like fingerprints. That’s why different people have varied tolerance levels to bullying and incivility. Bullying is particularly concerning for children and youth who, by definition, are dependent on others for their safety. They are less equipped to cope with the stress of feeling unsafe.
In the workplace, Executive Assistants are dependent on their leaders to create a safe environment in order to do their best work. When bullying is tolerated, that creates an unsafe environment which is toxic to the brain. Further, the witnesses to bullying bear almost as much of the damage as the targets themselves.
There are currently no laws in the United States that specifically address workplace bullying, mainly because lawyers have difficulty defining what it is. Massachusetts is currently working to be the first state to pass legislation. However, there are laws that address the related issues of sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace and bullying in schools.
Far too many Executive Assistants have witnessed or experienced workplace bullying and report symptoms of PTSD and negative impact to their ability to work at top efficiency and effectiveness. This data about the science of the brain proves that it is time for a fresh look at ending this toxic workplace problem that is making all our heads hurt.
MORE RESOURCES
This article first appeared in Executive Support Magazine, a global training publication and must-read for any administrative professional. You can get a 30% discount when you subscribe through us. Visit the website at www.executivesupportmagazine.com to find out more or to get your 30% discount email sdouglas@executivesupportmedia.com and tell them Bonnie Low-Kramen sent you.
By Bonnie Low-Kramen
Global Leader and Trainer
Bonnie Low-Kramen
Be the Ultimate Assistant and Staff Matters
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