What is mobbing?
Mobbing means that a person is systematically antagonised, harassed or excluded in a hostile way over a long period. As opposed to conflicts, the victim of mobbing is in a position of absolute disadvantage in that they cannot change the situation in their favour through their own behaviour without support.
There are a wide range of backgrounds: mobbing can develop from an escalating conflict, but can also be the result of stress in the course of group dynamic processes.
What you can do:
Mobbing victims should seek professional advice. Employee Psychological Counselling is available to employees in such cases.
Employees who notice that someone is being bullied or discriminated should not look the other way for their own sakes, but take a stand or at least organise support: what is happening to your colleague today could also soon happen to you (see above).
Managers are well-advised to stop mobbing attempts immediately. Mobbing consumes the attention and energy of the entire work group and has a negative effect on the working environment.
Employee Psychological Counselling provides support in cases of mobbing.
Cyber bullying
Cyber bullying is any form of insulting, harassing, threatening or ridiculing of another person over a longer period of time using modern communication means. Not knowing who the other person is can make the victim feel insecure and afraid.
Options for intervention:
- Block the cyber bully or change your own contact information as a last resort
- Gather evidence by making screenshots of e-mails and SMS messages
- Consult with the Legal Division
- In serious cases the police can be notified.
- The investigating authorities have more extensive options for investigating anonymous perpetrators.
- Filing a civil claim is difficult and usually requires the involvement of a lawyer.