Workplace bullying is one of the most insidious and destructive problems; it is also the least documented and most tolerated. Bullying at the workplace as an issue came to prominence only in the 1990s. It constitutes unwanted, offensive, humiliating, undermining behavior towards an individual or group of employees. It affects working conditions, health and safety, domestic life and the right to equal opportunity and treatment. This article defines workplace bullying, its effects and proposes remedial steps to prevent bullying.

Workplace bullying is any intentional, repeated or hurtful act including inflicting physical pain, name-calling, exclusion, defacing property, hurtful pranks and public humiliation. Bullying surrounds us in our daily lives. It's all about power. Power can be intoxicating, exhilarating and addictive. When it is abused, power turns into bullying and hurts people, leaves lasting scars and can destroy lives. Workplace bullying is a problem that knows no geographic boundaries and is not confined to any particular industry. It constitutes one of the most common and serious problems that employees face in today's workplace.

The workplace is dramatically changing with longer hours, short-term contracts, intrinsic insecurity and a more robust management style. The "leaner and meaner" organizations are putting pressure on managers and employees alike, leading increasingly to an autocratic or bullish management style. Growth of the service sector economy, global profit squeeze, decline of unionization, diversification of the work force and increased reliance on contingent workers are some of the social and economic conditions creating a climate favorable to workplace bullying.

Workplace bullying is one of the most insidious and destructive problems, yet also one of the least documented and most tolerated. The Germans and the French call it "the slow poison." The academic research on workplace bullying is still in its infancy. This article attempts to define workplace bullying, outcome of bullying behavior, pervasiveness of workplace bullying, effects of workplace bullying on workers and their employers and the actions to be taken by individuals and organizations to tackle the menace.

HRM Review Magazine, Public Humiliation, Stress Management, International Labor Organization, Service Sector Economy, Workplace Bullying, Social Isolation, Industrial Psychologist, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Work Environments, Financial Statements, Interpersonal Communication, Stress Management.