MOBBINGPsychological Terror at the Workplace

Begum OTKEN

Mobbing

Konrad Lorenz used to describe animal behaviors in ^60s.

Dr. Peter Paul Heinemann used to describe the behaviors of children in ^70s.

Dr. Leymann used it to describe the group violence between adults.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWJut7KQhI4&feature=related

Mobbing

delineates negative communicative actions, directed against an individual

by one or several others, and occurring very often and over a longer period of time, characterizing the relationship

between perpetrator and victim.

(Leyman, 1984).

Mobbing vs. Bullying

physically belligerent

Bullying hostile overbearing, individual

number of ordinary workers unfairly

gang Mobbing up on an individual, tormenting usually in

nonviolent ways.

Leymann’s Typology

effects on one’s possibilities to communicate adequately.

effects on one’s possibilities to maintain social contact.

effects on one’s possibilities to maintain personal reputation.

effects on one’s occupational situation.

effects on one’s physical health.

Who are the Victims?

Refuse to be subservient

Superior competence or technical skills

Social skills

Ethical, honest reporting of fraud and abuse

Weak and submissive

Mobbing as a Process

Stage 1: characterized by a conflict.

Stage 2: aggressive behaviors

Stage 3: management involves

Stage 4: victims are labeled as mentally ill

Stage 5: firing

Symptoms of MobbingFirst degree mobbing:

Crying, occasional sleep disorder, susceptibility, lack of concentration

Second degree mobbing:high blood pressure, depression, stomach

and intestinal problems, running away from work, loosing or putting on weight, alcohol consumption

Third degree mobbing:Severe depression, panic attacks, heart attacks,

commiting suicide, violence to other people.

Mobbing with Numbers

►154000 people in Sweden are victims of mobbing and %15 of suicides is related to mobbing

►4 million people in USA are victims of mobbing

►There are 24 hour hot lines in some countries.

►in EU, at least 12 million people experience mobbing.

►nearly half of the mobbing incidents are actualized by groups between 2-4 people.

►generally women on women and men on men

Numbers from Turkey16% finding nonexisting errors

9% looking hostilely

6% humilitating in meetings

14% isolation

13% establishing senseless rules

9% evidently disregarding successful work

5% unkindly criticizing

(HRM Research, Hürriyet HR 16 July 2006)

Consequences of Mobbing

for the victim

for the organization Sickness absenteeism

Increased turnover rates

Reduced productivity

Grievance and ligitation costs: severance pay.

Coping with Mobbing

Individual Methods

-developing trust, and consciousness

-individual stress management

Coping with MobbingOrganizational Methods

-redesigning organizational culture and climate

-developing ethical values

-managing conflicts

-making changes in job design

-communication

-legal arrangement

Legal Situation around the World….

It is a legal crime in Scandinavian countries.

Germany added mobbing to collective labour agreement.

In France, penalty is 1 year imprisonment and 1.500€.

In Switzerland, perpetrators are fired.

In Italy, mobbing is seen as a occupational illness.