Workplace bullying isn’t always that obvious. In fact, the victim would almost dismiss them, thinking that it is just another day at work situation. Well, it actually is, but it shouldn’t have to be. In this article, I’m going to enlighten you on what workplace bullying really looks like and how it impacts mental health and productivity.
Key Takeaway:
Workplace bullying isn’t always loud or obvious — sometimes it hides in sarcasm, silence, or exclusion. Just because no one’s shouting doesn’t mean harm isn’t being done.
What Is Workplace Bullying
Workplace bullying happens when a worker or group of workers repeatedly behaves unfairly towards another worker or group of workers. This behaviour might come off as offensive, intimidating, malicious, or insulting. It is an abuse or misuse of power that undermines, humiliates, or causes physical or emotional harm to an employee that slowly creates their health and safety and the general performance of the bullied.
One’s behaviour can be bullying, yet they don’t even realise it, but still, it doesn’t make their actions any less bullying than they already are. This is why workplace bullying or harassment training is quite important in every organisation. Workplace bullying could be a particular pattern of attitude or just a one-time act of insubordination, which can either happen face-to-face, on social media, in emails, or calls.
Forms Workplace Bullying Can Take
It is believed that workplace bullying only happens from top to bottom, but the truth is that most bullying comes from the bottom to the top. It is also called subordinate bullying. You know when subordinates undermine authority or intentionally make their supervisor look incompetent. Let me give you an example of subordinate bullying. It is actually a true life story of how “team spirit” almost drove me nuts after I got promoted as the new HR.
Subordinate bullying is just as real as top-down bullying. Whether it’s a disrespectful manager or a rebellious team member, bullying can come from any direction — and it’s toxic either way
Read How to Deal With Difficult Employees: Effective Strategies for Handling a Challenging Team Member
So I got promoted and thought, “This is it. I’ve made it. Respect will flow like chilled pepsi.” Boy, how wrong I was. Meet Mr. Kalu, my direct report. He is a bit older, by the way, and had been on the team longer than I had, and clearly felt my promotion was a personal insult to his ancestors. On day one, I sent a simple Slack message: “Hey Kalu, could you update the report before noon?” to which he replied with “Cool. If I don’t sleep off.
I laughed. Until I realised he wasn’t joking at all.
Over the next few weeks, Mr. Kalu led a silent rebellion. He became the MLK of “we ain’t doing that.” Every time I scheduled a meeting, the team suddenly had “network issues.” Every task I assigned? “It’s not clear enough,” even though it is as clear as a YouTube recipe.
Then came the weekly report. Mr. Kalu submitted it, alright, but replaced the data with random song lyrics from Burna Boy’s album. When I asked him why, he said, “Oh. I thought you wanted some vibe.” Sounds unbelievable, right? Well, here’s a real kicker? When the boss asked how things were going, the team claimed I was “controlling” and “stressing them.” ME. The one too scared to even raise my voice in meetings.
It took a while, but I finally dealt with the situation, and that’s how and when I learnt that subordinate bullying is real. And don’t worry about Mr. Kalu. He was later transferred to a different branch, where he’s probably leading another rebellion.
So that’s that for the upward bullying. Let’s now proceed to the top-down workplace bullying. If you’re noticing the following signs, then you’re clearly being bullied at work
4 Subtle Signs of Workplace Bullying
#1. Having your superior talk down on your effort and work or spreading false news about you.
Working really hard on a project all week, only for your manager to say in front of everyone, “This is not what I expected. I or anyone could have done this in 30 minutes or less. Ouch. That’s not feedback ; that’s public humiliation.
Worse still, some bullying managers go the extra mile to protect their ego by spreading false narratives behind your back. “She’s not serious,” or “He never meets deadlines,” even when you’ve been on time every single week. It’s a toxic cocktail of belittlement and lies that crushes morale and poisons team trust.
#2. Being kept in the dark when it comes to team social events but getting bugged with much more tasks than everyone else.
Now if this isn’t bullying, then I don’t know what else would be considered one. Everyone in the office gets invited to Friday pizza, except you. Even the intern knows about karaoke night, but you? You’re only remembered when there’s extra work to dump.
It’s like your boss sees you as a ghost with hands: invisible socially, but useful when there’s a deadline.
And no, this isn’t just poor communication. It is a calculated exclusion. The message is loud and clear: “You don’t belong here… but also, can you please cover two shifts?
#3. Shutting someone down in meetings
Here’s another classic case of workplace bullying dressed up as “managing time efficiently.” You finally build up the courage to share an idea in a meeting, and bam! Your manager cuts you off mid-sentence with, ‘We don’t have time for that right now.” Or worse, they wave it off with, “Let’s move on to more important things.”
Over time, this treatment teaches you to stay silent. You start to doubt your own voice. And ironically, the same boss might later say, “You’re not contributing enough.” If you’re seeing these signs, then you’re being bullied for sure, and you should do something about it as quickly as possible.
We see workplace bullying among colleagues. For example, taking credit for someone else’s work. Can you imagine pitching an idea for a content series during a brainstorming session, only to have one of your team members repeat the same idea word-for-word in front of your manager acting like it just popped into their head?
They get all the praise for being innovative, while you, the originator, just sit there and wonder if you accidentally dreamt the whole thing. This is not just annoying, but a subtle sign of bullying that distabilizes trust, team spirit, and morale.
Speaking of which, let’s discuss how workplace bullying impacts employee mental health and company performance.
How Workplace Bullying Impacts Mental Health and Company Performance
Workplace bullying doesn’t just hurt feelings—it chips away at the very structure of the workplace. For starters, the mental toll on the bullied employee is no joke. Anxiety, depression, self-doubt, insomnia—these aren’t exaggerations; they’re real consequences. An employee who once looked forward to coming in early and delivering their best now dreads even opening their work email. Their confidence gets so eroded that even basic tasks begin to feel overwhelming.
The damage workplace does is beyond ego. It affects mental health, kills productivity, and slowly poisons the entire workplace culture. No one performs their best in a hostile environment.
Now imagine trying to perform at your best in that headspace. Spoiler alert: you won’t. Productivity naturally dips because the person is too busy surviving, not thriving. Tasks take longer. Creativity dies. Engagement vanishes. And eventually, even the most capable employee begins to question whether they’re actually good at their job or just in the wrong place entirely. All because someone couldn’t keep their ego or pettiness in check.
Then there’s the ripple effect on the company. A toxic environment affects everyone, not just the victim. Morale drops. Teamwork suffers. Gossip spreads. People leave. And when good people leave, the way Joyce left, companies pay through recruitment costs, lost knowledge, and a damaged reputation. So while workplace bullying may look like a “personal issue,” it’s very much a business issue, one that’s slowly killing performance from the inside out.
Are There Legal Structures Against Workplace Bullying?
In many parts of the world, workplace bullying still exists in a legal grey area. While most countries have laws that protect workers from harassment, discrimination, or physical abuse, not all have specific legislation that directly addresses bullying, especially when it’s subtle or non-physical.
Legal protection may be limited, but bullying behaviors can still be challenged through broader workplace laws and HR action. Staying silent is never the solution — speak up, document everything, and know your rights.
In Nigeria, for example, there’s currently no direct law that uses the term “workplace bullying.” However, bullying behaviours may fall under broader legal umbrellas, like:
- Labour Act provisions around safe and fair working conditions
- Defamation or character assassination (if false information is spread)
- Constructive dismissal, where an employee is forced to resign due to hostile condition
Read Also: Employment & Labour Laws and Regulations Nigeria 2025
In other countries like the UK and US, employees can take legal action if the bullying falls under harassment (as defined in the Equality Act 2010)—especially when it’s linked to protected characteristics like race, sex, age, or religion.
In places like Australia, there’s more direct protection. The fair work commission allows workers to file formal complaints if they’re experiencing repeated unreasonable behaviour that creates a health and safety risk.
So what does this mean for the average worker? Even if workplace bullying isn’t explicitly illegal where you live, many bullying behaviours can still be challenged legally, especially if they affect your dignity, mental health, or ability to do your job.
Final Thoughts
Workplace bullying isn’t just “bad behavior” — it’s a serious issue that affects real people, real mental health, and real performance. Whether it comes from a boss, a colleague, or even a junior staff member, bullying in any form is toxic and unacceptable. Sometimes it’s loud, sometimes it’s subtle, but it always leaves damage behind.
If anything you’ve read sounds a little too familiar, please know this: you’re not overreacting. You’re not imagining things. And you’re definitely not alone. Your work environment should uplift you, not break you down.
Speak up. Document everything. Seek support — whether through HR, legal channels, or mental health resources. And if you’re in a position of leadership, make it your job to create a culture where bullying has no place.
You deserve respect, peace of mind, and a workplace that actually works for you.
Relate Articles
How to Become an Effective Human Resource Manager in 4 Steps: (Plus 5 Must-Have Skills to Succeed!)
Workplace Harassment Training: Reasons for Workplace Harassment Training
Essential Skills That Make an Effective Chief Human Resources Officer